Today our 5-year-old neighbor completed his first day of school. He’s been waiting for this day since the middle of summer. Each day since his mom bought him his new backpack (more than two weeks ago) he has come over to remind my 3-year-old daughter that he is “going to school to make a lot of new friends.” So today when I saw him standing outside posing for pictures by his mailbox wearing his brand new backpack I couldn’t resist grabbing my daughter and walking over to wish him well on his big day.
Turns out we ended up walking the four blocks to school with him and his mom. Along the way streams of cars and quite a number of bicyclists passed us, just as we were passing dozens of red and white yard signs that read “Slow Down and Watch for Kids” on one side and “Thanks for Slowing Down” on the other. AAA sponsors the signs and according to the crossing guard, they were put up by police officers last night.
Apparently law enforcement officials are targeting certain neighborhoods located near schools to remind drivers that traffic patterns change when school is in session, and motorists need to exercise extra care now that there are more children on the roadways. I found out the signs are free and are available at AAA offices nationwide. If you live near a school or along a high traffic pedestrian area you should consider picking up a sign and placing it in your yard (at least for the next week or so).
In our state statistics show a pedestrian is injured or killed in traffic accidents every five hours. What’s more, children between the ages of five and 14 account for nearly 40% of those accidents. Which means it’s never too late to brush up on a little driver’s safety 101.
For example, if you find yourself driving through a school zone remember to slow down to 15 mph when kids are present. Also, remember drivers are mandated by law to stop 20 feet away from a school bus when its lights are flashing. And don’t forget it is illegal to pass a school bus on the right.
If your child is one of the 25 million students from across the nation who ride the bus to school remind him or her to stay at their stop and wait for the bus to come to them. Bus drivers are taught to stop ten feet before a given stop and signal children when it is safe to board.
Related Articles:
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Sharing The Road With The Nations Worst Drivers
How Well Do You Know The Rules Of The Road?
Do You Brake (Or Veer) For Bicyclists?