Back to School Drive Safe

It’s hard to believe we are approaching the end of summer! And, as we turn the page on the calendar, over 55 million children across the United States head back to school. With 13 percent of those children typically walking or biking to their classes, being especially aware of pedestrians before and after school hours is imperative. The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous – over the last decade, nearly one in four child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. That is an alarming statistic that is grabbing my attention.

What can you do to keep our children safe? Here’s what AAA recommends:

Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.

Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.

Eliminate   distractions. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing. And children can be quick, crossing the road unexpectedly or emerging suddenly between two parked cars. Reduce risk by avoiding the ever-increasing distractions of today’s connected car, including the use of your cell phone (hands free does not mean distraction free!).

Reverse responsibly. Every vehicle has blind spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, in the driveway and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Teach your children to never play in, under or around vehicles.

Watch for bicycles. Children on bikes are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a bicyclist. If your child rides a bicycle to school, require that he or she wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride.

Talk to your teen. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. Get evidence-based guidance and tips at TeenDriving.AAA.com.

Back to school means back to basic driver safety. Schools Open – Drive Responsibly!