School’s Open – Drive Carefully

Posted by Unknown on Monday, August 29, 2011

Back to school marks a change in seasons and a change in traveling for everyone. With school buses lining the streets and crossing guards posted at street corners it is important to be alert and aware on our roadways. That is why since 1946, AAA has conducted its annual School’s Open – Drive Carefully campaign in an effort to educate the public on important traffic safety messages and ultimately reduce school-related pedestrian deaths.  This campaign helps support the work of more than 600,000 school safety patrollers in 31,000 schools across the U.S.  Also, this year AAA decided to collaborate with Richard Scarry’s Busytown Mysteries to help spread the word about the importance of back to school safety. 

Whether commuting to work, carpooling to school or heading out for daily activities please take caution to ensure that everyone gets to where they are going and back home safely. Here are some helpful hints for everyone to keep in mind as we adjust to the increased traffic in our neighborhoods:
  • Take Your Time – Allow extra time for school zone traffic or adjust your route to avoid it.

  • Avoid Distractions – Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Focus on where you’re going, no matter how you’re getting there.

  • STOP at Stop Signs. Treat a stop sign as you would a red light—come to a complete stop every time.

  • Slow Down! – Speed limits in school zones tend to be 5 to 10 miles per hour below the posted speed.

  • Brake for Buses – Passing a stopped school bus is against the law, so don’t do it.

  • Watch for Walkers and Cyclists – Be cautious and prepared, especially on sidewalks and be extra cautious around driveways, intersections and residential neighborhoods.

  • Cross at the Crosswalk – Keep to where you’re most likely to be seen, and where you have the right-of-way.

  • Look for AAA School Safety Patrollers. If you see one of the more than 600,000 AAA School Safety Patrollers at 31,000 schools across the country, you know you’re approaching a school zone.

    This entry was posted on Monday, August 29, 2011 at 2:13 PM. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.