AAA Urges Motorists to Slow Down and Stay Alert as Children Return to School

BUFFALO, N.Y., September 1, 2009 – In an effort to curb unsafe driving behavior in school zones and residential neighborhoods, AAA is sponsoring its 76th annual “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign. With 56 million students expected to return to 98,000 elementary and high schools across the United States this year, AAA is urging drivers to use extra caution by slowing down and staying alert for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially during the morning and afternoon hours.

A national survey of speeding in school zones, conducted by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, found that two-thirds of drivers exceed the posted speed limit during the 30-minute period before and after school. Additionally, nearly one-fifth of traffic fatalities of children below the age of 15 are pedestrians, with more school-age pedestrians killed between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. than any other time of day.

“The start of a new school year presents special traffic risks for drivers and school-age children due to increased congestion and pedestrian traffic on the roads,” said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “It is our responsibility as adult motorists to preserve the safety of children.”

As part of AAA’s “School’s Open - Drive Carefully” campaign, AAA offers 10 key tips for motorists to help keep kids safe as they return to school.

1. Slow Down. Whether in a school zone or residential neighborhood, motorists should keep their speed low and be prepared to stop quickly for increased vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
2. Obey Traffic Signs. Obeying traffic signs is something all motorists should do no matter where they drive. Forty-five percent of motorists did not come to a complete stop in a recent study, with 37 percent rolling through and seven percent not even slowing down.
3. Stay Alert, Avoid Distractions. Looking away from the roadway for just two seconds doubles the chance of being involved in a crash. Avoid talking on mobile phones, adjusting the radio or any other activities that might take attention away from the road. Never text while driving.
4. Scan Between Parked Cars. Children can quickly dart out between parked cars or other objects along the roadway. Motorists should pay close attention not only at intersections, but along any residential roadways where children could be present.
5. Look for Clues of Children Nearby. Keep an eye out for clues that children are likely nearby such as AAA School Safety Patrol members, crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds.
6. Always Stop for School Buses. For 23 million students nationwide, the school day begins and/or ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk they face is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving it. Flashing yellow lights on a school bus indicate it is preparing to stop to load or unload children, and motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped, and children are getting on and off. Motorists are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.
7. Allot Extra Travel Time. Back to school often means increased congestion and longer commute times. Motorists should allot extra travel time when school is in session to avoid any temptation to speed or disobey traffic laws in an effort to ‘catch up’ after being delayed.
8. Review Your Travel Route. Motorists should consider modifying their travel route to avoid school zones and residential neighborhoods. A slightly longer route might actually be quicker by avoiding congestion and much lower speed limits in and around school zones.
9. Use Extra Caution in Bad Weather. Whether in rain, snow, fog or any other inclement weather, motorists should use extra caution. Reduced visibility can make it difficult for motorists to see children and children to see vehicles. It also can make it difficult to perform quick stops, if needed.
10. Use Headlights. Turn on your headlights, even during the day, so children and other drivers can see you.

AAA also offers 10 important rules for safeguarding children as they walk to and from school, bus stops, playgrounds, or a friend’s house.

1. Walk on Sidewalks. Watch out for cars pulling into, and backing out of, driveways. Be sure to stay out of the road, except when crossing the street.
2. Walk on the Left Facing Traffic. Staying to the left allows you to watch oncoming traffic and to get out of the way if necessary.
3. Cross Only at Corners or Designated Crosswalks. Avoid the dangerous practice of “jaywalking.” Cross at an intersection controlled by a traffic light wherever possible.
4. Stop and Look All Ways before Crossing. Always wait until all traffic is clear before crossing the street.
5. Watch for Turning Cars. Children sometimes forget to look and unintentionally walk into the side of a turning vehicle.
6. Continue to Look Left, Right and Left again as you Cross. It’s easy to miss an oncoming car. Stay alert; be sure to cross quickly and safely.
7. Avoid Crossing Between Parked Cars. It’s almost impossible for drivers to see youngsters who enter the roadway from between parked cars.
Play Away From Traffic. Playgrounds, schoolyards and your own backyard are the safest places to play.
9. Be Especially Alert in Bad Weather. Rain, snow, fog and even umbrellas can obstruct vision. Also, drivers may be unable to stop quickly. Children should wear brightly colored and retro-reflective clothing.
10. Always Obey Police Officers, Adult Crossing Guards, AAA Safety Patrol Members. These “safety guardians” can greatly enhance a child’s safety when going to and from school.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.

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