Motorists Urged to Watch for Children Returning to School
18 August 1999
Motorists Urged to Watch for Children Returning to School
HOUSTON--Aug. 17, 1999--"School's Open -- Drive Carefully" -- AAA Texas wants motorists to heed this life-saving message as school gets underway for many Texas children. The Auto Club's School's Open safety campaign was launched today as a reminder to motorists that the start of school requires drivers to slow down and use extra care in school zones and residential areas."School children are excited and thinking of many things at the start of a new school year and some motorists are out of the habit of slowing down in school zones. These factors can result in tragedy if motorists do not take special precautions," said Bill Noble, traffic safety spokesman for AAA Texas. "Drivers must slow down and watch for children."
A look at the statistics demonstrates why drivers need to be more careful: Nationwide, 644 pedestrians under the age of 15 were killed in 1997 -- the latest year statistics are available. Another 26,000 were injured. Speeding, in school zones and elsewhere, hampers a driver's ability to avoid a collision with young pedestrians. Over 80 percent of pedestrian fatalities for children under 15 occurred somewhere other than at an intersection. It takes 45 feet -- three car lengths -- for a vehicle to stop at 20 miles per hour. At 40 mph, the distance required to stop is 125 feet -- over eight car lengths. The primary danger to children comes from the fact they are smaller and harder for drivers to see. Children also can make the mistake of assuming that if they can see a car, a driver can see them. A child that darts out in front of oncoming traffic has little chance if the driver is travelling at too great a speed to stop in time to avoid a collision.
"Motorists need to ease on their breaks and travel at the school-zone posted speed limit -- often 20 miles an hour. It will feel like you're crawling, but it will assure the safety of children in the area," said Noble.
AAA started the "School's Open -- Drive Carefully" campaign in 1933. Sixty-six years later, the message is still relevant. Each year as school begins, AAA Texas and AAA clubs throughout the country, distribute nearly two million pieces of educational material, including pencils, rulers, and bumper stickers that alert drivers to exercise caution. Check your local AAA Texas office for these materials and other information. This year AAA Texas also worked with the Eller Media Company and the Texas Department of Transportation to place 35 billboards near schools with the message "School's Open -- Slow Down!" The billboards are located in the Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio areas.
To help protect children, AAA urges you 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 other drivers can see you.
-- Look for clues children may be present such as school-zone signs, School Safety Patrols, crossing guards, bicycles, and playgrounds.
-- Constantly scan for children between parked cars and other objects.
-- Anticipate children may dart out in front of your vehicle -- especially while at play or when distracted.
-- Use extra caution in bad weather.
-- Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students.
AAA Texas, one of the largest membership associations in the state and an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1905. Today, AAA Texas offers its members public safety programs, a full service travel agency, financial services, and auto-related services.
