Back-to-School Safety: Part One

It’s officially back-to-school season, and even if you’re not a parent or teacher, AAA has some important safety tips that could help you save a life this September! You may have already noticed your quiet summer work commute is now filled with students riding their bikes and walking to school, and with that comes an increased chance of an accident. AAA reports that in the past ten years, one in every four children that was hit by a car was killed between 3 PM and 7 PM, which are prime after-school hours. There are plenty of things you can do to avoid these types of accidents, and AAA has compiled a list for you as a part of their “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign. Check out the first three recommendations below.

1.) Slow Down – During certain hours, most school zones have a reduced speed limit. This is not merely a recommendation – slowing your speed from 35 MPH to 25 MPH means you can more stop easily for pedestrians, and, if you do hit someone, they will be two-thirds less likely to die from the collision. When driving through a school zone, make sure to observe the reduced speed limit and check the hours it is in effect.

2.) Stop Completely – Stopping completely at stop signs may seem unnecessary, especially if you’re running late and there are no other vehicles in sight. In fact, nearly 1 in every 3 drivers roll through stop signs as opposed to coming to a full halt. Many child pedestrians walking through school zones or neighborhoods assume you see them and that you’re going to stop, and that is not always the case. To avoid an incident, come to a complete stop, and take an extra second to check the sidewalks and crosswalks for children.

3.) Eliminate Distractions – It doesn’t matter if you’re an excellent driver, excellent multitasker, or both, distracted driving is dangerous. If you take your eyes off the road for even a short time like two seconds, you can double your chance of crashing into something, or even worse, someone. Kids do not always follow the rules of the road, and can abruptly cross the street or emerge from two parked cars, which makes them hard to predict and spot. When you’re behind the wheel during school hours, eliminate distracting items like food and your cellphone.

Next week’s blog will feature the final three tips from AAA, so check back to learn about reversing responsibly, watching for bicycles, and talking to your teenage driver!

“AAA Exchange.” School’s Open – Drive Carefully. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Aug. 2016. <http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/child-safety/schools-open-drive-carefully/#.V74NvJMrJTZ>.

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