At Sunset View Cemetery Association, our caring staff members love seeing school back in session across El Cerrito, Kensington, and Alameda County. Back-to-school season is a great time for new beginnings and establishing a healthy routine, whether you’re at home or on the go. We hope the following driving tips help families in our community stay safe on the roads.   

Keep distractions at bay.

Keep your cell phone put away while driving, either in the glove compartment or in the center console of your vehicle. If it’s necessary to make a call or send a text while driving, use BlueTooth, speakerphone, or voice commands so you won’t need to use your hands to do so.

Be careful backing up.

With children playing more outdoors this time of year, it’s important to be especially mindful while backing out of your driveway or a parking space. Even with a backup camera, accidents can happen. Especially if you drive a large vehicle like an SUV, be aware of your blind spot while backing up.

Have children in the proper seats.

Keep in mind that children under 13 should always sit in the back seat of a vehicle. Babies should be transported in rear-facing car seats, while toddlers should sit in forward-facing car seats. Children aged 4-7 should be seated in a booster seat. Whatever car seat you select, be sure it’s installed correctly before starting the ignition.

Never leave children alone in the car.

With summer temperatures still high, remember to never leave your child or children alone in an unattended vehicle. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can rise quickly, and a child’s body temperature rises even more rapidly than an adult’s. If you’re tempted to leave your child in the car, even for a quick minute, remember that the safest choice is to always bring them with you.

Look out for pedestrians.

This time of year sees more people in the Bay Area out and about for picnics, beach days, and a myriad of summertime activities. As you drive around, be extra mindful of pedestrians, especially parents with young children sitting in strollers or walking alongside them. Remember to always give pedestrians in crosswalks and at stoplights the right of way when driving.

We want to wish everyone in our community a successful school season and remind them to stay safe on the roads!