The Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education and The Rahway Police Department are teaming up to promote AAA’s Schools Open-Drive Carefully campaign by urging motorists to stay alert and be cautious while traveling in and around school zones as children return to school.
Morning and afternoon times can be dangerous for children, especially as they travel to the bus stop, ride their bikes to and from school, or walk along their routine path. And, unfortunately, children are often distracted or are unable to accurately judge traffic situations.
To help prevent accidents, AAA’s Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education and the Rahway Police Department Traffic Bureau recommend the following tips for motorists:
- Stay alert and slowdown in or near school zones and residential areas. Don’t rush into and out of driveways and watch for kids darting in between parked cars. Expect above normal pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks and roadways, especially in and around schools.
- Stop at stop signs. It sounds obvious, but research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones and neighborhoods
- Look for clues such as crossing guards, safety patrols, and bicycles, which may indicate that children are in the area.
- Turn on headlights, even during the daylight, to be visible.
- Always stop for school buses that are loading and unloading children.
- Pay particular attention during the morning and afternoon hours and plan ahead. Leave early for your destination and build extra time for congestion.
- Practice extra caution in adverse weather conditions.