The end of summer is fast approaching, which means the beginning of a new school year. Across the United States, an estimated 56.6 million children will head back to school this fall, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, with many of those children walking or riding their bikes as their main transportation method.
It is the motorist’s responsibility to be on the lookout for pedestrians. Your commute is about to become more congested with traffic, school buses, and young pedestrians. More school-age pedestrians have been killed between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. than any other time of day, according to AAA. So you must be on high alert and take extra care before and after school.
To help raise awareness, AAA launched an annual campaign, known as ‘School’s Open – Drive Carefully’ as a way to help reduce child fatalities and injuries.
Here are some safety driving tips from School’s Open – Drive Carefully:
Slow Down 
– Obey all posted traffic signs and crossing guards. Speed limits are reduced to 15 mph school zones to help slow down motorists and save lives.
Stop – Always come to a complete stop and do not roll through a stop sign or a crosswalk. Look for children before resuming your travels.
Eliminate Distractions – Do not take your eyes off the road. Children are quick and can cross the road unexpectedly, so you must be alert and aware of your surroundings.
Look before you back up – Check for children in your blind spots before backing out of a driveway or parking spot. Children are small and can be less visible to motorists.
Young pedestrians are not always where we expect them to be. So motorists must remain alert. Drive safely this fall season and help keep children safe!
