As summer draws to a close and the classroom bell rings in the new school year, 55 million children across the United States will head back to school. With 13 percent of those school children typically walking or biking to school, AAA warns drivers to be especially vigilant for pedestrians during, before  and after school hours. The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous for walking children- over the last decade, nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 and 7 p.m.

"In 2014, more than 309 child pedestrians died and 11,000 were injured. In New York state alone, 17 children were killed - five of which were during school transport hours," said Elizabeth Carey, Director of Public Affairs for AAA Western and Central New York. "Drivers need to be extra cautious around school zones and residential areas where children are walking to and from school."

AAA offers six ways to keep kids safe this school year: 

1. SLOW DOWN. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster. 
2. ELIMINATE DISTRACTION. Children often cross the road unexpectedly and may emerge suddenly between two parked cars. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.
3. REVERSE RESPONSIBILITY. Every vehicle has blinds spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, driveway and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Teach your children to never play in, under or around vehicles - even those that are parked. 
4. TALK TO YOUR TEEN. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and more than one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 to 7 p.m. Get evidence-based guidance and tips at TeenDriving.AAA.com.
5. COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. Research shows that more than one third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
6. WATCH FOR BICYCLES. Children on bikes are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the bicycle. If your child rides a bicycle to school, require that they wear a properly-fitted bicycle helmet on every ride. Find videos, expert advice and safety tips at ShareTheRoad.AAA.com.

The AAA's School's Open - Drive Carefully awareness campaign was launched in 1946 in an effort to prevent school-related child pedestrian traffic crashes - helping kids to live fulfilling, injury-free lives.