Notice Speed Limits In School Zones

From the East Penn Region of AAA East Central:

As students across Pennsylvania gear up for the 2011-2012 school year, AAA reminds motorists to take notice of speed limits in school zones and to slow down and watch for children.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian struck by vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed as compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.

“School zone speed limits are in place to save lives,” said Priscilla Rosado, Coordinator of Public Affairs, AAA East Central, East Penn Region.

“Motorists need to be especially vigilant during the morning and afternoon hours when school children are walking to and from school and on and off school buses.” 

AAA’s School’s Open – Drive Carefully campaign was launched in 1946 to help reduce the number of school-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities. In addition to slowing down, AAA offers the following advice for motorists to keep children safe as they navigate their way through school zones.

• Ditch distractions. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing. 

• Stay alert.  

• Don’t rush into and out of driveways. Expect pedestrians on the sidewalk, especially around schools and in neighborhoods.

• Stop at stop signs. It sounds obvious, but research shows that more than one third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. 

• Watch for bikes. Children on bicycles are often unpredictable; expect the unexpected.

• Brake for busses. It may be tempting to drive around a stopped school bus, but not only is it dangerous, it’s against the law. 

• Plan ahead. Leave early for your destination and build in extra time for congestion. If possible, modify your route to avoid school zones.

• Look for AAA School Safety Patrollers. With more than 600,000 AAA School Safety Patrollers at 31,000 schools across the country, they’re a sure sign you’re approaching a school zone.

In addition to the School’s Open – Drive Carefully campaign, AAA has also teamed up with www.AAA.com/SafeSeats4Kids - Richard Scarry’s Busytown Mysteries educate parents, caregivers and children on the importance of safely securing young passengers in the family vehicle.  

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services.

Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

Learn more at www.AAA.com.

The East Penn Region, of AAA East Central, an affiliate of AAA and the Pennsylvania AAA Federation, has more than 280,000 members throughout its service area, which includes Montgomery County.