Back to school time: drivers use caution

Launched in 1946, AAA’s “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” awareness campaign was created as a way to help reduce child pedestrian fatalities and injuries and each year since AAA has continued the tradition to keep children safe as they return to school. AAA Northern New England distributes thousands of “School’s Open, Drive Carefully” posters annually in an effort to raise awareness.
“With distraction being a growing problem with drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, we would like to remind parents and students to please pay attention to your surroundings,” says Pat Moody, AAA Northern New England public affairs. Drivers should to be especially vigilant for pedestrians before and after school hours. 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.
Here are some reminders for drivers and pedestrians:
• 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. And walkers need to always check before crossing.
• 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 not using your cell phone or eating while driving. This goes for pedestrians and cyclists also! Remove headphones and put away cell phones and other electronic devices when crossing the street .
• 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. Pedestrians should be watching for turning and backing traffic.
• 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. Find videos, expert advice and safety tips at ShareTheRoad.AAA.com.
• Be seen: Drivers should always drive with their headlights on for greater visibility and pedestrians should never assume because they can see the car the driver can see them. Never cross between cars or mid-block. And dress in light colors, wear reflective material or use a flashlight.
• Always walk on sidewalk: If a sidewalk is not available always walk facing traffic on the left side of the road as far to left as possible.
• Watch for stopped school buses: Red flashing lights mean a school bus is loading or unloading, YOU MUST STOP, it is against the law to pass a stopped school bus with the red lights flashing. Students should always cross in front of the bus so the driver can see them and never walk down the side of the bus. Drivers and students should always use caution around school buses.
• Talk to your teen. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and nearly one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Get evidence-based guidance and tips at www.teendriving .aaa.com.