Why Road Safety Matters in Montgomery
Hey there, Montgomery middle schoolers! Did you know that every time you get in a car or cross a street, you’re making decisions that keep you safe? Road safety is super important in our city because Montgomery has some special challenges that can make accidents more likely.
For one thing, we get a lot of rain in Alabama – especially during spring and summer thunderstorms. When roads get wet, cars can’t stop as quickly, and drivers might not see as well through the rain. Eastern Boulevard, Taylor Road, and Atlanta Highway can become extra slippery during storms.
Montgomery also has lots of busy intersections where accidents happen more often, like where Vaughn Road meets Eastern Boulevard or where Ann Street crosses Interstate 85. Plus, we have school zones all over the city where being extra careful is important for everyone.
The good news is that knowing a few simple safety tips can help you stay safe and even help the adults driving you around avoid accidents. Let’s learn how to be road safety champions in Montgomery!
Always Buckle Up – No Exceptions!
The single most important thing you can do in any car is wear your seatbelt properly. Every. Single. Time. No matter if you’re just going around the corner to Eastdale Mall or on a longer trip to Birmingham, your seatbelt must be buckled before the car starts moving.
Here’s how to wear your seatbelt the right way:
- The lap belt should be low across your hips, not on your stomach
- The shoulder belt should cross your chest and shoulder, not your neck or face
- Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm
In Alabama, it’s actually the law that everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt, no matter where they’re sitting. If you’re under 15, it’s the driver’s responsibility to make sure you’re buckled up. And if you’re not tall enough for the seatbelt to fit properly (generally under 4’9″), you should be in a booster seat.
Did you know? Seatbelts save more than 15,000 lives in the United States every year! If you’re in an accident, a properly worn seatbelt keeps you from being thrown around inside the car or, even worse, being thrown out of the car completely.
Don’t Distract the Driver
One of the biggest causes of accidents is distracted driving. As a passenger, you have an important job: help the driver stay focused on the road! Here’s how you can help:
Keep noise levels reasonable. It’s fun to sing along to music or chat with friends in the car, but screaming, arguing, or playing super loud music makes it hard for the driver to concentrate. This is especially important in busy areas like downtown Montgomery near Riverwalk Stadium or the Renaissance Hotel where there are lots of pedestrians.
Save serious conversations for later. If you need to talk about something important with the driver, wait until the car is parked. Emotional conversations can be just as distracting as texting!
Never cover the driver’s eyes or grab the steering wheel, even as a joke. This might seem obvious, but sometimes people do dangerous things thinking they’re just being funny.
Help with navigation. If the driver needs directions, offer to look up the address on a phone or read the map. This way, they can keep their eyes on the road instead of looking at directions. This is especially helpful on confusing Montgomery roads like the I-85/I-65 interchange or finding your way around the Eastern Boulevard shopping areas.
Remember: In Alabama, drivers aren’t allowed to text, email, or use social media while driving. If you see your parent or other adult driver reaching for their phone, respectfully remind them to wait until they’re parked. You might just prevent an accident!
I’ll continue with the next three sections of the safety blog for Montgomery middle schoolers:
Safety First on Montgomery Roads: Tips to Avoid Accidents (continued)
Smart Passenger Habits
Being a good passenger isn’t just about buckling up – it’s about helping create a safe environment inside the car. Here are some smart habits that Montgomery kids should practice:
Keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times. Hanging any part of your body out of a car window is dangerous, especially on busy roads like the Southern Boulevard or Ann Street where cars might pass closely.
Store loose items securely. During a sudden stop or crash, loose objects become dangerous projectiles. Put your backpack, sports equipment, or other items on the floor or secure them with a seatbelt. This is especially important when driving on Interstate 65 or 85 through Montgomery where speeds are higher.
Know how to respond in an emergency. If you’re old enough to understand, learn where the hazard lights button is located (usually a triangle symbol on the dashboard). Also, know how to call 911 if the driver becomes unable to do so.
Ask adults to secure your younger siblings properly in car seats or booster seats. Alabama law requires children under age 8 to ride in appropriate car seats or boosters. If you notice a younger sibling unbuckling or getting out of position, alert the driver right away.
Bike and Scooter Safety Around Montgomery
Riding bikes and scooters is a great way to get around Montgomery neighborhoods, but you need to follow safety rules:
Always wear a properly fitted helmet. In Alabama, everyone under 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Make sure it sits level on your head (not tilted back) and the straps form a “V” under your ears.
Make yourself visible. Wear bright colors during the day and reflective materials at night. Alabama law requires bikes to have a front light and rear reflector when riding after dark. This is super important on roads with less lighting, like parts of Narrow Lane Road or neighborhoods off Carter Hill Road.
Follow traffic rules – bikes must follow the same rules as cars. This means stopping at stop signs and red lights, riding in the same direction as traffic, and using hand signals before turning. Downtown Montgomery can be tricky with one-way streets, so be extra careful there.
Use bike lanes when available. Montgomery has added bike lanes on several streets, including parts of Madison Avenue and Fairview Avenue. These provide safer spaces for cyclists, but still stay alert for cars turning or opening doors.
Avoid busy roads when possible. Instead of riding on Eastern Boulevard or Atlanta Highway, look for parallel residential streets with less traffic. The city has maps of recommended bike routes available at libraries and recreation centers.
Technology and Road Safety
Technology can help or hurt road safety – it depends on how you use it:
Cell phones should be put away when crossing streets or riding bikes. Many accidents happen because people are looking at phones instead of traffic. If you must use your phone for directions, use earbuds to listen (keeping one ear open to hear traffic) and mount the phone on your bike rather than holding it.
Consider safety apps that can help in emergencies. Some apps can alert parents if you’re in an accident or send your location if you need help. Ask a trusted adult about which might be right for you.
Never use technology to distract drivers. Taking selfies with the driver, showing them videos, or asking them to look at your phone screen while they’re driving puts everyone in danger. This is especially true in heavy traffic areas like around Eastdale Mall or the Shoppes at EastChase.
Be cautious with headphones. If you’re walking or biking, either keep the volume very low or only use one earbud so you can still hear traffic around you. On busy Montgomery streets like Perry Street or Dexter Avenue, being able to hear approaching vehicles could save your life.
Remember that even the most advanced car safety features can fail. Just because a car has backup cameras or automatic braking doesn’t mean the driver can stop paying attention. Always stay alert around vehicles, even those with the latest technology.
Know Your Montgomery Roads
Different roads in Montgomery have different dangers, so it’s good to know what to expect:
Interstate highways (I-65 and I-85) have the fastest traffic in Montgomery. Cars travel at 70 mph or more, which means they cover more than the length of a football field every 3 seconds! Stay extra alert around on-ramps and exit ramps where cars are changing speeds. The interchange where I-65 and I-85 meet can be especially confusing even for experienced drivers.
Eastern Boulevard and Atlanta Highway are major commercial roads with lots of turning traffic. Pay special attention to cars pulling in and out of shopping centers and restaurant parking lots. Drivers are often looking for store signs and might not notice pedestrians or cyclists.
Downtown streets like Dexter Avenue, Commerce Street, and Montgomery Street can be busy with both car and foot traffic, especially during events at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre or Riverwalk Stadium. These streets sometimes have unusual traffic patterns, one-way directions, or angled parking that can surprise drivers not familiar with the area.
School zones like those around Capitol Heights Middle School, Carver High School, and Baldwin Middle School have reduced speed limits during arrival and dismissal times. However, don’t assume drivers will slow down – always be cautious even when crossing with crossing guards.
Riding the Bus Safely
Many Montgomery students use public transportation or school buses. Here’s how to stay safe:
At the bus stop, stand at least three big steps (6 feet) from the curb. Along busy routes like the South East Area Transit (SEAT) routes on Atlanta Highway or Eastern Boulevard, stand even further back if possible.
Wait for the bus to completely stop and open its doors before approaching. Never run after or alongside a moving bus – if you miss it, talk to a trusted adult about what to do next.
If you must cross the street after exiting a school bus, walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Look both ways before crossing, even if the bus has its stop sign extended and lights flashing. Not all drivers obey these signals, especially on multi-lane roads like parts of Taylor Road.
On public buses, hold onto handrails when standing, especially when the bus is starting or stopping. Montgomery’s city buses make frequent stops downtown and along major corridors, so keep your balance by using the handrails.
Keep the aisles clear of backpacks, sports equipment, or other items. In an emergency, these could block people from exiting quickly. This is especially important on crowded school bus routes to schools like Brewbaker Middle School or Johnnie Carr Middle School.
What to Do If You See an Accident
Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, accidents happen. Here’s what Montgomery kids should do if they witness a car accident:
Stay safe first! Never run into the road to help. If you’re with a trusted adult, let them handle the situation while you stay in a safe location away from traffic.
Tell a grown-up immediately. If you’re at school, tell a teacher or administrator. If you’re at home or in your neighborhood, tell a parent or neighbor who can call 911.
Be a good witness. Try to remember details about what happened – the colors of the cars involved, which direction they were going, and what happened just before the crash. This information can help police officers understand what caused the accident.
If you know basic first aid, you can offer help under adult supervision. But remember – moving injured people can sometimes make their injuries worse, so it’s usually better to wait for paramedics who are trained professionals.
In Montgomery, emergency services like fire trucks, ambulances, and police respond quickly to accidents, usually arriving within 5-10 minutes in the city. While waiting, stay calm and reassure others that help is on the way.
Special Event Safety in Montgomery
Montgomery hosts many special events throughout the year that create unique traffic situations:
During festivals like the Alabama National Fair at Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery Pride at Riverfront Park, or concerts at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, traffic patterns may change and parking areas fill quickly. Plan extra time to arrive safely and know where designated drop-off and pick-up areas are located.
Sports events at Cramton Bowl or ASU Stadium bring large crowds and busy parking lots. Stay with your group, use sidewalks when available, and be extra cautious in parking areas where drivers might be distracted.
Holiday periods like Christmas around Eastdale Mall or Fourth of July celebrations at Riverwalk Stadium mean more cars on the road and sometimes drivers who might not be fully focused. Be extra vigilant during these busy times, and wear reflective clothing if you’ll be out after dark.
If you’re attending an event downtown, use designated crosswalks and follow traffic signals. Don’t assume drivers will see you, especially after dark or in areas with limited street lighting.
Building Lifelong Safety Habits
The safety habits you build now will protect you for your entire life:
Start thinking about safe driving long before you get your learner’s permit. Notice how good drivers stay calm, avoid distractions, and follow traffic laws. When you start learning to drive in a few years, these observations will help you become a safer driver.
Be a safety ambassador for your family. Remind everyone to buckle up, even on short trips. Sometimes adults get busy and forget safety basics – a gentle reminder from you could prevent an injury.
Learn the layout of Montgomery roads. Knowing which intersections are tricky (like where Eastern Boulevard meets Atlanta Highway) or which areas flood during heavy rain (like parts of Bell Road) will help you navigate more safely as you grow up.
Report safety concerns to trusted adults. If you notice a broken traffic light, a damaged sidewalk, or a street where cars frequently speed, tell your parents, teachers, or other trusted adults who can report these issues to city officials.
Conclusion: Your Safety Matters
Staying safe on Montgomery’s roads isn’t just about following rules – it’s about protecting yourself and others in our community. Every time you buckle your seatbelt, help a younger sibling cross the street safely, or remind an adult not to text while driving, you’re making Montgomery a safer place for everyone.
The attorneys at Strickland & Kendall have seen how accidents can change lives in an instant. That’s why they’re committed to sharing safety information with young people like you – because preventing accidents is always better than dealing with their aftermath.
Remember: Safety isn’t about limiting fun; it’s about making sure you stay healthy and happy so you can enjoy all the great things Montgomery has to offer – from splash pads at Riverfront Park to baseball games at Riverwalk Stadium to shopping at Eastdale Mall.
By following these safety tips and sharing them with friends and family, you’re not just being a good citizen – you’re being a safety hero for our community. And Montgomery needs all the safety heroes it can get!
If you have questions about road safety or what to do after an accident, remember that resources are available. Your parents can contact safety experts like the attorneys at Strickland & Kendall at (334) 269-3230 for guidance specific to Montgomery’s roads and Alabama’s traffic laws.
Stay safe out there, Montgomery!