August 6, 2018 - - -As a new school year begins, AAA’s “School’s Open, Drive Carefully” campaign aims to reduce the number of school-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities. With more distractions than ever, AAA reminds motorists to watch out for students as they travel to and from school.

School zone speed limits are in place to save lives. Motorists need to be especially vigilant during the morning and afternoon hours when schoolchildren are walking to and from school. A hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roads, according to recent research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Most victims of fatal hit-and-run crashes are pedestrians or bicyclists.

AAA data also shows that a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at a reduced school zone speed of 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.

AAA urges motorists to follow this guidance to keep students safe:

• 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 chance of crashing. In  

      addition, 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,

      for example.  

• Reverse responsibility. Every vehicle has blind spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, in the driveway and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Teach 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 a vehicle and a bicyclist. If a child rides a bicycle to school, require that he or she wear a properly fitted helmet on every ride. Find videos, expert advice and safety tips at ShareTheRoad.AAA.com.  

• Talk to your teen. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens, and nearly one in four fatal crashes in Oklahoma involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Get evidence-based guidance and tips at TeenDriving.AAA.com.