AAA Encourages Motorists to Be Alert When School's Open

BURNSVILLE, Minn., Aug. 30, 2004 -- Between 3 and 6 p.m. -- pick-up time at most schools and daycare centers -- is the most dangerous time of day for children under 13 years of age, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). That's when the most children are killed by motor vehicles.

Drop-off time -- between 6 and 9 a.m. -- accounts for 11 percent of child motor vehicle deaths. Taken together, the time periods when children are either coming from or going to school or daycare account for more than one-third of all child vehicle deaths. As the school year begins, AAA's annual "School's Open" campaign reminds motorists to use caution in school zones and residential areas, where pedestrians, bicyclists and other motor vehicles, including school buses, operate during drop-off and pick-up times.

"Motor vehicles remain the number one cause of death for children ages 2-14," said Jeff Ogden, AAA Minnesota/Iowa president. "Loading and unloading children from school buses and passenger cars requires careful attention and deliberate action."

In its "School's Open" campaign, AAA emphasizes that driving carefully begins with focusing on basic traffic safety practices, such as the proper use of seat belts, child safety seats and booster seats.

"It's vitally important that all children age 12 and under be properly restrained in the back seat," said Ogden. "Caregivers often don't realize they need to alter the type of child safety seat as children grow, which means that booster seats are underutilized or used incorrectly. Typically, children between the ages of four and eight are candidates for booster seats."

  AAA urges motorists to follow these safety tips:
   -- Slow down in or near school and residential areas.
   -- Drive with your headlights on -- even during the day -- so children
      and others can see you.
   -- Look for clues such as school safety patrols, adult crossing guards,
      bicycles and playgrounds that indicate children may be in the area.
   -- Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children
      could dart into the road.
   -- Practice extra caution in bad weather.
   -- Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students
      when red lights are flashing (unless you are driving in the opposite
      direction on a divided highway).
   -- When using a booster seat, always use the shoulder harness.  Don't
      tuck it behind the child's back.  Make sure the lap belt fits low and
      tight across the lap/upper thigh area and the shoulder belt fits snug
      crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries.

AAA offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 45 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA Minnesota/Iowa is part of The Auto Club Group, which has 4.1 million members in eight Midwest states. AAA Minneapolis serves more than 170,000 members in Hennepin County.