Children heading off to school at the end of summer should never be a dangerous situation, but unfortunately it is. In the last decade, more than 25 percent of child pedestrian fatalities occurred after school, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The increased hazards for youngsters are evident in statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) so the safety of children walking or biking to and from school is an extremely important message.

AAA’s “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign, launched nationwide in 1946, reminds drivers to engage in safe behavior in school zones and residential neighborhoods in an effort to help reduce the number of school-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

“We urge all drivers to be more attentive while driving and less focused on their cell phones and other distractions,” said Tony Spada, President and CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. 

Consider some of these startling statistics:

•    In 2016, 17 child pedestrians were killed in New York State.
•    More than a third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods.
•    One-fifth of traffic fatalities in the 14 and younger age group are pedestrians.
•    Nearly 20 percent of all accidents involving injury are the result of distracted driving.

After 72 years, the “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign continues to remind motorists to watch out for children as they travel to and from school. And AAA School Safety Patrol is designed to keep children safe as they arrive and depart from school on a daily basis.

This year, AAA Western and Central New York is once again partnering with New York State Police and local law enforcement to raise awareness of traffic safety. Look for our tent at the New York State Fair. And please do your part to keep our children safe!