Club Reminds Motorists to be Alert as Schools Open
Indianapolis, IN (Aug. 9,
2007) –
With the start of another
school year, AAA Hoosier Motor Club reminds motorists to
slow down and watch out for school-age pedestrians.
“Children get caught up in
the excitement of ‘back-to-school’ season and forget to look
out for cars,” said Greg Seiter, public affairs manager for
AAA Hoosier Motor Club. “Many youngsters have trouble making
accurate judgments about traffic speed and distance, so
drivers have to be particularly aware.”
One-fifth of all children 14
years of age and younger who die in motor vehicle crashes
are pedestrians, according to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. These pedestrian fatalities are more
likely to happen in the afternoon hours, when school is
letting out.
AAA’s School’s Open – Drive
Carefully campaign encourages motorists to stay alert in
areas where children are present, paying special attention
during the morning and afternoon hours while children are
coming to and from school. Drivers should look out for
children who may dart out into the street near school zones,
playgrounds, bus stops, and in neighborhoods. School-age
children can be especially vulnerable in areas with heavy
traffic volume, parked vehicles on the street and higher
posted speed limits.
As part of the School’s Open
– Drive Carefully campaign, AAA Hoosier Motor Club offers
drivers the following tips to help keep school children
safe:
• Studies
show that more than one-third of motorists in school zones
or neighborhoods just “roll through” intersections with a
stop sign. Slow down in or near school and residential
areas, and be sure to come to a complete stop at all
intersections.
• Drive with
your headlights on—even during the day—so that you’re easier
to see.
• Look for
clues such as AAA School Safety Patrol™ members, crossing
guards, bicycles, and playgrounds which indicate children
could be in the area.
• Scan
between parked cars and other objects for signs that
children could dart out.
• Practice
extra caution in adverse weather conditions.
• Pay
particular attention near schools during the morning and
afternoon hours.
• Always
stop for school buses that are loading and unloading
students.
“Drivers should always be
aware of their surroundings, but especially around
children,” Seiter said. “Remember: school’s open – drive
carefully.”
AAA
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