School's Open, Drive Carefully
AAA New York State is launching its 63rd
annual “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” program, urging motorists to be
especially careful around children who are walking and cycling their way to
school.
To
help safeguard children’s safety during the school year, motorists should pay
attention to the following reminders: reduce
speed when driving near schools, bus stops and playgrounds; stop for school
buses that have red flashing lights and refrain from using a cell phone while
driving - it’s the law; drive
cautiously in bad weather; and teach your children to look in every direction
before crossing the street.
School's
Open posters will be mounted along school routes and at schools. More than
21,000 School's Open bumper stickers will be visible on government-owned
vehicles, school buses and private cars.
Once again this year, as part of the “School’s
Open” campaign, AAA clubs are offering a tip sheet for parents to review with
their children on choosing the safest route to school, plus important safety
rules. The tip sheet is downloadable here
in English or Spanish.
It advises parents to show their children which route to take and why.
The route should be planned with these safety rules in mind, including:
·
Walk on
sidewalks: watch out for cars pulling into, and backing out of driveways.
·
Cross
only at corners: avoid the dangerous practice of jaywalking.
·
Watch for
turning cars: children sometimes forget to look and unintentionally walk into
the side of a turning vehicle.
·
Avoid
crossing between parked cars: it’s almost impossible for drivers to see
youngsters who enter the roadway from between parked cars.
We
urge all drivers to pay close attention to the road, particularly during the
back-to-school season, when children may be more playful than watchful.
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