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

Lifestyle Editors/Business Editors/Travel Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 2003

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 2002, California children under 15 years of age accounted for 9 percent of the number of pedestrian fatalities (60) and 29 percent of pedestrian injuries (3,784). 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 Arline Dillman, traffic safety manager for the Auto Club. "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," Dillman said. "Children sometimes make the mistake of assuming that if they can see a car, the driver can see them."

This is the 70th year the 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.

-- 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

make up, 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.

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

students.

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 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.