9/4/2007

Bellevue, WA (Sept. 4, 2007) – As more than one million Washington state students return to school, AAA reminds motorists to slow down and watch out for young pedestrians.

“Children get caught up in the excitement of going back to school and forget to look out for cars on their way to and from school,” said Janet Ray, AAA Washington’s managing director of corporate communications. “Many youngsters have trouble making accurate judgments about a vehicle’s speed and distance, so drivers have to be particularly aware.”

Nationally, one-fifth of all children 14 years old and younger who die in motor vehicle crashes are pedestrians, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These pedestrian fatalities are more likely to happen in the afternoon hours, when school is letting out.

AAA’s School’s Open – Drive Carefully campaign encourages motorists to stay alert in areas where children are present, paying special attention during the morning and afternoon hours while children are coming to and from school.

NHTSA also reports that in Washington, eight pedestrians 15 years old or younger were killed in 2005 and all of these deaths occurred at non-intersections. Drivers should look out for children who may dart out into the street near school zones, playgrounds, bus stops, and in neighborhoods. School-age children can be especially vulnerable in areas with heavy traffic volume, parked vehicles on the street, higher posted speed limits, and few pedestrian-control devices.

As part of the School’s Open – Drive Carefully campaign, AAA offers drivers tips to keep school children safe:

• Slow down. All school zone speed limits are 20 m.p.h. in Washington and traffic fines double in a school zone.
• Come to a complete stop at stop signs. Studies show that more than one-third of motorists in school zones or neighborhoods just “roll through” intersections with a stop sign.
• Drive with your headlights on – even during the day – so children and other drivers can see you.
• Look for clues such as AAA School Safety Patrol™ members, signs, crossing guards, bicycles, and playgrounds that indicate children could be in the area.
• Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children could dart into the road.
• Practice extra caution in adverse weather conditions.
• Always stop for school buses that are loading and unloading students.

Before school begins parents and their children should create a plan for the safest route to school, review traffic safety rules and practice the route.

AAA Washington has been serving members and the traveling public since 1904. The organization provides a variety of exclusive benefits, including roadside assistance, discounts, maps and personalized trip planning, to its 980,000 members. In addition, its full-service travel and insurance agencies provide products and services for members and the public. Additional information is available through the company’s 26 offices in Washington and northern Idaho, at www.AAA.com, or by calling 1-800-562-2582.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Contact AAA

Jennifer Cook (425) 646-2055
Dave Overstreet (425) 467-7740
Cassie Devaney (509) 358-6950

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