Auto Club: School's Open - Drive Carefully; Motorists and Pedestrians Urged to be Especially Careful.

LOS ANGELES -- With millions of children heading back to school over the next few weeks, the Automobile Club of Southern California is reminding motorists to be extra careful around schools and school zones. This week the Auto Club begins airing a television commercial focused on safe driving in school zones.

In 2003, California children under 15 years of age accounted for 9 percent of the number of pedestrian fatalities (61) and 26 percent of pedestrian injuries (3,572). National figures indicate that traffic collisions are the number one cause of death and injury for children under 15 years of age.

"Motorists driving through residential streets need to be on the lookout for children walking on their way to school or to their school bus stop," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "Parents and teachers also can help reduce injuries and fatalities by working together to teach children about safe walking and biking behaviors.

"Much of the danger comes from the fact that children are smaller and harder for motorists to see," Thorp said. "Children sometimes make the mistake of assuming that if they can see a car, the driver can see them."

This is the 71st year AAA has conducted its "School's Open - Drive Carefully" campaign. Each fall, the Auto Club makes available 100,000 bumper stickers to school principals and law enforcement officials reminding motorists to drive with extra care at this time of year.

To help protect children, the Auto Club urges motorists to follow these safety tips:

--Drive slowly in and around school and residential areas.

--Obey school zone speed limit signs.

--Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students.

--Drive with your headlights on - even during the day - so children and other drivers can see you.

--Drive without distractions. Don't use cell phones, eat, apply makeup, shave, or anything that could take your attention from the road.

--Scan between parked cars as children could dart into the road.

--Leave for your destination early enough so you don't have to speed to arrive on time. Take the possibility of traffic jams into consideration when planning a departure time.

Pedestrians should remember the following safety tips:

--Cross only at corners so drivers can see you.

--Always use a crosswalk when it is available. But remember that painted lines can't stop cars.

--Cross only on the new green light so you have time to cross safely.

--Use the intersection's walk/don't walk push-button when possible and cross with the "walk" sign only.

--Look all ways before crossing, watching for cars that are turning.

--Never cross the street from between cars. Drivers can't see you.

--If sidewalks are not provided, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, so you can see oncoming cars.

--Use a flashlight or wear or carry something retro-reflective at night to help drivers see you.