After summer, both adults and children need time to reorient themselves to earlier wake-ups and a stricter daily routine. Alertness in the mornings can be impaired, especially if a person hasn’t had enough sleep, and rushing out of the house further increases stress.
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When we simultaneously think about children’s belongings, time, work, traffic jams, and traffic, it’s easier to get distracted, and behind the wheel, this can lead to a delayed reaction,” says Rokas Laurinavičius, Head of Fuel Category for the Baltic States at Circle K, in a press release.
Adjusting to September’s Rhythm – Not in One Day
According to psychologists, returning to school and work routines after holidays can be stressful in itself. For children, this means earlier wake-ups, a changed daily schedule, returning to the classroom or a new environment, and for parents, the need to re-coordinate family, work, and travel schedules.
“The stress of returning usually intensifies when we try to change everything in one day. Therefore, it’s useful to gradually return to the September routine – start going to bed and waking up earlier a few days or a week in advance, pack necessary items the night before, and discuss the morning plan with children. A clear routine reduces uncertainty and helps both children and adults start the morning more calmly,” says psychologist Inga Būdvytytė.
She also advises against planning mornings “to the minute” during the first weeks of the school year. Even a small time buffer reduces tension if a child takes longer to get ready, you have to go back for a forgotten item, or traffic jams prolong the journey.
“The less we feel rushed in the morning, the easier it is to maintain focus behind the wheel. Therefore, it’s worth getting used to an earlier morning routine even before September, and allocating more time for travel during the first weeks of the school year,” advises I.Būdvytytė.
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Fewer Morning Chores, Less Rushing
R. Laurinavičius also recommends thinking about the September morning routine now: taking care of fuel or car charging in advance, checking window cleanliness, and assessing possible traffic changes.
“A common problem in September is the desire to do all morning errands on the way. Fuel levels, car cleanliness, or insufficient windshield washer fluid may seem like minor details, but dealing with them at the last minute increases rushing. If you know you’ll need to drive a child in the morning, it’s worth preparing the car for the trip the night before. The fewer surprises we leave for the morning, the more attention we can dedicate to a safe and calm journey,” says R. Laurinavičius.
Traffic Jams Change Not Only Travel Time But Also Driving Style
Artūras Pakėnas, head of a driving school and road safety expert, points out that, considering repair works and possible traffic restrictions in the country’s cities, it’s advisable to check the route in advance and have an alternative path.
“It’s important to understand that rushing often changes the driving style itself – drivers start to change lanes more abruptly, shorten safe distances, and brake later. This is especially risky near schools, as many cars, pedestrians, and cyclists converge in one place. Therefore, even on a well-known route, it’s worth consciously choosing a calmer pace and leaving more space for unexpected situations,” says A. Pakėnas.
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Checklist for Safe Back-to-School Journeys
- Allow extra time. Traffic will be heavier during the first weeks of September, so leave earlier and account for possible traffic jams, roadworks, and route changes.
- Before setting off, check that everyone is buckled up. Even on a short journey of a few minutes, seat belts and a child restraint system appropriate for the child’s height and weight are essential.
- Prepare for the morning the night before. A packed backpack, prepared clothes, and a clear morning plan help reduce rushing and stress even before getting behind the wheel.
- Drop off the child only in a safe place. Stop the car in a safe and permitted location, ensuring the child exits on the sidewalk side, not the roadway side.
- It’s not necessary to drive right up to the school doors. If there are traffic jams near the school, a safer solution might be to stop a little further away and walk the last few hundred meters.
- Take care of your car in advance. It’s worth refueling, charging the car, or checking necessary fluids in advance to have fewer additional worries in the morning.
- Choose a calm driving pace and set an example. Do not use your phone, maintain a safe distance, avoid sudden maneuvers, and remember that children eventually adopt adult behavior on the road as the norm.
