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Slow Down ~ School Starts Today

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

The beginning of a new school year often sneaks up on those who no longer have children in the school system. We are creatures of habit and typically know how long it takes to get from point A to point B. With the first day of school, everything changes!

Today is the first day for our school district, and to make things even more exciting, it's raining! Therefore, if you have places to be this morning or this afternoon, be mindful of the traffic challenges that WILL be out there. No doubt, you will encounter more cars on the roads, school buses that make frequent stops, and lots of reroutes due to numerous car lines forming.

Just take a deep breath and say a prayer for all the kids, parents, teachers, and, of course, those bus drivers. There is no place you have to be that requires you to speed. Just leave earlier or leave after the traffic has died down. If you don't add to the traffic count out there, that is even better.

Enjoy your day and stay safe! Happy new school year to all!

 

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Comments(12)

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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Wednesday morning, Paula. This is a good reminder for all of us to be alert drivers.

Aug 13, 2025 04:49 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Roy. We can never be too careful when school is in session.

Aug 13, 2025 08:17 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

In my area, I don't notice a big difference in traffic between when the kids are in school and when they aren't, but I probably just don't pay enough attention to it, haha.  When the snowbirds arrive, I certainly notice a big change, haha.

Aug 13, 2025 04:51 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

We notice a huge difference. Traffic can be a nightmare.

Aug 13, 2025 08:17 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Paula. Gone are the times when school started after Labor Day. First the Chicago suburbs started the week before Labor Day. Now schools start mid August and Chicago August 18th this year. We now live in exurbia, a town beyond the suburban ring of Chicago, in a community with a through street and several side streets. The through street has consistent speeders who have slowed down on school days. Will it last? I am hoping so. Enjoy your day.

Aug 13, 2025 04:53 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

You enjoy your day as well. And yes, long are the days when school began much later in the year.

Aug 13, 2025 08:18 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Paula...  great advice and great reminder. Our schools start on the 25th and I also post about this subject every year. I see drivers doing the craziest things in school zones. Makes you wonder what they are thinking.

Aug 13, 2025 05:11 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Right, Nina. We had a horrific tragedy last year when one of our students lost their life due to an accident. 

Aug 13, 2025 08:19 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I never speed through a school zone. I figure it may be Summer School or a random school event. Slow and steady wins the race.

Aug 13, 2025 06:45 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

That is certainly a good practice, Jeffrey.

Aug 13, 2025 08:19 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Wow, that is early, seems the kids start earlier and earlier each year.

Aug 13, 2025 07:21 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Yes, Nick. The summers just fly by these days.

Aug 13, 2025 08:19 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Our schools started back on August 4th.  I think they are working toward year-round school.  The day of needing kids to work the farm so going to school all year makes sense.

Aug 13, 2025 07:47 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Wow, Gwen. That is super early. You might be right about the year-round theory.

Aug 13, 2025 08:20 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs.
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I am just going to say it ... people need to slow down every moment of every day, not just when school starts or when it is raining.  

I do understand your point - in my area, people drive like maniacs! 

Aug 13, 2025 08:44 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

We encountered some of those drives when we came to see you. Sadly, we have them here too!

Aug 13, 2025 10:43 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

School has been back in session for a couple of weeks now here and I definitely saw a big increase of traffic in most areas.  I just pray that folks slow down and watch out carefully for our kiddo's. 

Aug 13, 2025 03:50 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Yes, Anna. Nothing is that important to risk the safety of others when speeding.

Aug 13, 2025 04:04 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Paula- HISD began on Tuesday and Cy-Fair started today!!!  All of our local social media has sent out PSA's regarding school buses and right of ways. 

Aug 13, 2025 05:46 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you so much for sharing this thoughtful reminder, Dr. Paula McDonald. I really appreciate your kind words and the way you highlight the importance of patience and safety during this busy time. Your advice to slow down and be mindful resonates deeply. It's a gentle nudge we all need as we start this new school year. 😊

Aug 14, 2025 11:29 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Paula, our schools around me started a month ago, and still some drivers are speeding through.  Hope the cops watch at some points before someone gets hurt.

Sep 07, 2025 12:41 PM