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Back to School Road Safety

Back to School Road Safety
AAA Road Safety

 

According to an American Automotive Association (AAA) survey, 43% of Georgians admitted to driving over the speed limit in active school zones with flashing lights. Additionally, 30% of Georgians admitted to using a hand-held cell phone in an active school zone.

AAA Georgia, in partnership with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, promoted the "School’s Open – Drive Carefully" awareness campaign across the state. Georgia Public Affairs Director Garrett Townsend said, “We are aware of the risk to children in and around school zones.” The campaign aims to “help curb unsafe driving behavior near schools. If Georgia motorists slow down and stay alert, they can save lives.”

Garrett joined key partners at Heards Ferry Elementary School to launch the campaign in the metro Atlanta region, stressing the importance of road safety as the new school year begins. The event underscored the collaborative efforts of various organizations to promote safe driving practices in school zones.

Speakers included:

  • Vickie Cross, FCS Executive Director of Transportation
  • Mike Sanders, GDOE Director of Facilities Services and Pupil Transportation
  • Robert Hydrick, GOHS Communications Director
  • Officer Matt Kelly, Georgia Department of Public Safety, Motor Carrier Compliance Division

One significant change in Georgia is the newly adopted Addy’s Law, which requires public schools to plan bus routes that prevent student crossings in areas with speed limits higher than 40 mph. Penalties have also been increased to at least $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail for motorists convicted of passing a stopped school bus.

According to the AAA Consumer Pulse Survey, 70% of Georgia drivers regularly drive routes through school zones. During the event, safety measures on school buses were highlighted for awareness. A yellow flashing light indicates the bus is preparing to stop for students to get on or off. Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop. A red flashing light and extended arm indicate the bus has stopped and is loading or unloading children.

The automotive group offers seven ways to keep kids safe this school year:

  1. Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster. A difference between 25 mph and 35 mph can save a life.
  2. Eliminate distractions. Children often cross the road unexpectedly and may emerge suddenly between two parked cars. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.
  3. Reverse responsibility. Every vehicle has blind spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, driveway, and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Teach your children to never play in, under, or around vehicles – even those that are parked.
  4. Talk to your teen. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teens in the United States, and more than one-quarter of fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  5. Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
  6. Watch for bicycles. Children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady, and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the bicycle. If your child rides a bicycle to school, require that they wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride.
  7. Look for AAA School Safety Patrollers. Nationwide, more than 679,000 AAA School Safety Patrollers stand guard at over 35,000 schools. When you see one, a school zone is likely nearby.

Townsend adds, “If parents and other drivers follow these simple rules when driving in and around school zones, countless children can avoid injury and death. It’s up to us to help all drivers become more aware of the risks of driving around schools.”