MID-OHIO VALLEY (August 23, 2016) - It's the end of summer, and that means area children are going back to school. AAA East Central, which covers the Mid-Ohio Valley, reminds drivers to be extra cautious as school zones become more active, and be aware of school bus safety.
AAA's School's Open – Drive Carefully campaign kicks off each fall and continues throughout the school year to remind motorists to watch out for children as they travel to and from school. In addition to slowing down, AAA says motorists should:
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 buses. 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.
