School's Open Drive Carefully
On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 108 minutes or injured in a traffic crash every 7 minutes. Help Us Reduce Child Injuries!
The greatest threat children face today is motor vehicle crashes. While walking, cycling or as a passenger in a motor vehicle, these crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 and older. The problem escalates during the months kids are in school. Kids are vulnerable for several reasons.
- They are small and less visible to motorists.
- It is more difficult for children to judge traffic situations, because their peripheral vision is one-third narrower than an adult's.
- Children do not always possess the capability to make sound judgments.
- Children can be easily distracted, especially when around other kids.
In short, kids are not adults - and it's up to drivers to compensate for these differences. To help protect children, AAA urges motorists to follow these safety tips:
- Slow down near schools and in residential areas.
- Drive with your headlights on - even during the day - so children and other drivers can see you.
- Look for clues such as AAA School Safety Patrollers, bicycles and playgrounds that indicate children could be in the area.
- Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs of children.
- Practice extra caution in bad weather.
- Consider changing your route if it involves school zones or bus stops to avoid congestion and lower speed zones.
- Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students.
Click here to view the School's Open Fact Sheet