Getting out of the car safely: 8 questions

The car is parked with the sidewalk on its right. Which door do you get out of?

The door on the right, next to the sidewalk.

Mom is still driving around the parking lot looking for a space. Can you unbuckle your seat belt now?

No. You stay buckled until the car has stopped and a grown-up says you can get out.

Noa is sitting on the side of the car next to the road. The car has stopped. What should she do?

Keep her hands off her door. When the grown-up says so, she unbuckles and slides across to the sidewalk door, or waits for the grown-up to come and help her out.

Why is it dangerous to open the door on the road side?

Cars, bikes and scooters pass close to the car, and they could hit the door or the person getting out.

You are in a parking lot and white lights come on at the back of a parked car. What does that mean, and what do you do?

The car is about to back up. Stop, stay with your grown-up and wait until the car has driven away.

Your dad is taking bags out of the trunk. Where is your hand while you wait?

On the car or holding his hand, and you stay right next to him.

You see your friend at the school gate on the other side of the parking lot. What do you do?

Hold your grown-up's hand and walk there together. Do not run ahead.

Dan says, "I always get out of the right door, so I'm always safe." Is he right?

Not always. On a one-way street a car can park with the sidewalk on its left. The safe door is the one next to the sidewalk, whichever side that is.