School’s out in McHenry and that means drivers need to apply greater scrutiny and caution

School’s out, School’s out
Teacher let the monkeys out
One flew in, One flew out
One flew in the teacher’s mouth

McHenry schools have let the children out

for summer. This means extra scrutiny and

caution is necessary for drivers.

It’s a cute little ditty that some of you may remember. But its point is clear. The doors of the schools in McHenry are thrown open and the children will explode out of those doors with the excitement and energy of a pack of wild monkeys, to follow with the ditty’s analogy.

After being cooped up in McHenry schools all year, it’s not surprising that the children would be chomping at the bit in anticipation of a summer’s worth of freedom.

They’re free from studying, homework and sitting in classrooms all day. They’re free to have fun. And, if they’re like most children, they’ll be after all the fun they can get.

What does summer vacation for kids in McHenry mean for drivers?

A conscientious driver is constantly aware of what’s going on around them as they drive. They’re surveying every situation so they’ll be prepared in case of any eventuality. They see someone coming out to their car and wonder, ‘Will they notice me or just back out of the driveway in front of me.’

Drivers don’t want to have accidents. Automobile accidents come with expensive damages to property. They can come with injuries or worse. No one wants the tickets and insurance complications of an auto accident.

About the only thing worse for a driver is to consider the idea of hitting a child in the road. Unfortunately, drivers can’t count on children to look both ways before entering the road.

Children don’t always understand the risks. They don’t realize how badly they’re liable to be hurt if hit by a car. That aren’t inclined to dutifully observe traffic.

We’ll see this as we drive when middle-school-aged children are riding their bicycles on the road. They’re supposed to follow the rules of the road just like car drivers. But don’t bet you’re life and welfare that they will.

And when children are playing games, they’re liable to run out into the street after a ball never giving a second thought to traffic. Then we have the little ones who may get away from mom or dad for a moment. They may run into the road without any concept of the dangers.

McHenry children should have a good summer. So should you. The more diligently you focus on your driving, the better chance you both have that nothing terrible will interfere.

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