Auto Club Urges Drivers to Use Caution as Students Head Back to School
LOS ANGELES--Sept. 3, 2001--The start of school means more children will be walking or riding their bicycles near traffic, increasing their risk of a deadly collision with a motor vehicle.The Automobile Club of Southern California says nearly 3,500 California children ages 5 to 14 were killed or injured last year in pedestrian-related crashes.
"During the summer, drivers get used to seeing fewer kids near bus stops and crosswalks," said Arline Dillman, the Auto Club's traffic safety manager. "We urge all drivers, especially parents who are dropping their kids off at school, to be careful when driving to avoid a serious incident that might injure or kill a child.
"Kids are particularly vulnerable to being struck by a vehicle because their actions are unpredictable, and they are smaller, making them harder to see," explained Dillman. "Motorists need to slow down and be alert when driving in all residential areas, not just school zones where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour. Whenever children are biking or walking to school, drivers need to be alert and ready to react."
Pedestrians of all ages can be at risk if they have developed unsafe habits or if drivers around them don't take pedestrians into consideration. The Auto Club offers these questions to help motorists and pedestrians practice safer habits:
| -- | Do I always pay attention? As a walker, do I always stay on the alert for vehicles around me? As a driver, do I allow distractions to take attention from my primary responsibility of watching the road? |
| -- | Do I assume too much? Do I think a crosswalk automatically protects me as a walker, or do I look all ways carefully and make eye contact with approaching drivers before crossing? When I'm driving, do I assume that a traffic signal will prevent pedestrians from crossing into my path? |
| -- | Am I visible? As a pedestrian, am I careful to cross the street only where I'm visible to drivers, and to wear retroreflective clothing or use a flashlight when it's dark? As a driver, do I use my headlights in bad weather, early morning and evening? |
| -- | Do I look for signs of danger? As a walker, am I aware of busy and potentially dangerous intersections, and do I avoid those intersections if possible? As a driver, do I watch for children along the sidewalk and playgrounds, and do I slow down when children are present? |
| -- | Do I know and obey traffic laws? As a walker, do I only cross streets at intersections and in marked crosswalks when possible? As a driver, am I aware that I must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections? |
The Auto Club also offers tips for drivers who pick up and drop off children at school:
-- Buckle up all passengers -- it's the law. Children 12 and under go
in the back. Remember, the limit is one child per seat and belt.
-- Drive at a safe speed. School areas can be hazardous, so stick to
the maximum 25 mph speed limit when children are present.
-- Learn and obey the right-of-way rules. Don't create traffic
gridlock and be sure to yield the right-of-way when required.
-- U-turn only if safe and legal. Avoid U-turns in school zones,
congested areas or close to an intersection. Never block other
traffic.
-- Obey parking rules when you stop or park. Don't park -- even
temporarily -- where it's illegal and don't block other vehicles.
-- Use designated areas to drop off and pick up. Always pull to the
curb and load/unload at curb side.
-- Try not to stop across from the school. Send children to a
crosswalk if you must stop across the street. Never direct or
allow a child to cross unsafely.
-- Have children cross only where safe. Marked crosswalks are best.
Unmarked crosswalks at intersections are okay, too, but make sure
it is safe before crossing.
-- Walk WITH children if you park farther away. Parking at a distance
reduces congestion close to the school. Use this time to talk to
children about traffic safety.
-- Cooperate with adults who are directing traffic. Praise children's
good behavior for properly walking, crossing streets and checking
for traffic.
Each year the Auto Club distributes 100,000 "School's Open -- Drive Carefully" free bumper stickers to schools, parent/teacher associations, police departments and other safety organizations.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance, insurance services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy.
