A New School Year Begins in Minnesota

Guest Editorial by: Randy Williams, President of AAA Minnesota/Iowa

BURNSVILLE, Minn., Aug. 18 -- Preparing for the 2005-06 school year is important to parents, teachers, children and another important group often forgotten - motorists. AAA Minnesota/Iowa urges motorists to keep their eyes open and their minds alert in its "School's Open - Drive Carefully" program.

One-fifth of all children 14 years old and younger who die in motor vehicle crashes are pedestrians, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These pedestrian fatalities are more likely to happen in the afternoon hours, when school is letting out.

Children get caught up in the excitement of 'back-to-school' season and forget to look out for cars. Many youngsters have trouble making accurate judgments about traffic speed and distance. Children also have a tendency to dart into the street without looking for oncoming traffic and have been provided with little instruction on the right way to cross the street.

Motorists need to be particularly alert in areas where children are present, typically in school zones, playgrounds and bus stops. Moreover, children can be vulnerable in areas with heavy traffic volume, street parked vehicles, higher posted speed limits and few pedestrian-control devices.

To help safeguard our children, AAA Minnesota/Iowa offers motorists these tips:

  -- Slow down in or near school and be sure to come to a complete stop in
     all intersections. Studies show more than one-third of motorists in
     school zones or neighborhoods just "roll through" intersections with a
     stop sign.

  -- Drive with your headlights on, even during the day, so children can see
     you.

  -- Look for clues such as AAA School Safety Patrollers, crossing guards,
     bicycles and playgrounds indicating children could be in the area.

  -- Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs of children.

  -- Practice extra caution in adverse weather conditions.

  -- Pay particular attention near schools during the morning and afternoon
     hours.

  -- Always stop for school buses that are loading and unloading students.

The school year is a special time when children create lifetime memories. To help ensure a child's school year does not include a traffic-related injury, motorists must be aware of their surroundings. Remember: "School's Open - Drive Carefully."