What is a safety procedure to follow when picking up children?

Ensuring the area is clear before signaling for the children to cross is crucial for safety during pick-up. This procedure helps to assess the surroundings and confirms that there are no oncoming vehicles, cyclists, or other hazards that could pose a danger to the children as they approach or cross the street. By prioritizing this step, it allows the driver to create a safe environment for children to enter the bus or cross the street.

Additionally, signaling only when children are close, using a loud horn to alert them, or relying solely on making eye contact may not effectively ensure the overall safety of the situation. Each of these methods lacks the proactive precaution that evaluating the area provides, which can lead to potential dangers if not carefully considered. Therefore, making sure the area is clear first is a foundational safety procedure that helps prevent accidents and prioritizes the well-being of children during pick-up.