With first days approaching, AAA urging parents, residents to drive safely in school zones
As our children return to school in the coming weeks, they’ll be crossing streets and walking near drop-off and pickup traffic more frequently. As a result, AAA is bringing attention to student safety.
AAA’s East Central region is launching its annual “School’s Open, Drive Carefully” campaign, encouraging parents to talk about the importance of school zone safety with their children and teen drivers.
Through the campaign, AAA urges motorists to take extra caution when traveling through school zones or near school buses, especially during before- and after-school hours.
Children are particularly vulnerable during the afternoon hours following their school day, AAA said. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 64% of child pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2024 occurred between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays.
“School zone speed limits and crossing guards are in place to save lives,” Terri Rae Anthony, safety adviser for AAA East Central, said in a news release. “Since children can move quickly and cross the road unexpectedly, it is important to obey speed limits and be ready to stop at a moment’s notice.”
Speed is crucial in protecting the lives of students as they make their way to class. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 20 mph is about two-thirds less likely to be killed as compared with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph.
AAA tips include avoiding distractions like phones, staying alert at all times, braking for school buses, coming to complete stops and watching for bikes.
