AAA Washington reminds drivers to be safe as students head back to school

As schools across Washington re-open for the 2022-23 school year, AAA Washington is sharing ways to protect students with tips for drivers and pedestrians alike.

This year, AAA Washington celebrates 100 years of empowering kids to keep other kids safe through its AAA School Safety Patrol Program. Established in 1922, the program has supported thousands of students, grades 4 through 8, as volunteer crossing guards while also preparing them for lifelong leadership.

“As the school year starts, AAA Washington wants drivers near schools to keep an eye open for those fluorescent green or ‘Lectric Lime vests, announcing the presence of a AAA School Safety Patrol Program,” said Kelly Just, Public Affairs Manager with AAA Washington.

AAA Washington encourages drivers and pedestrians alike to help keep kids safe on the streets this school year through the following tips:

For drivers:

•Slow down. Follow those 2 0-mph school-zone speed limits.

•Make room for bicycles. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing space between your vehicle and a bike. More at ShareTheRoad.AAA.com.

•Eliminate distractions. Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles the chance of being involved in a crash.

•Review school bus laws.

All drivers traveling the same direction as a school bus must stop when the stop sign “paddle” extends, and red lights are flashing. On a two-lane road, drivers traveling the opposite direction to the bus must also stop. Three lanes or more, including a center turning lane? Drivers traveling the opposite direction of the bus may proceed with caution.

•Stay alert in crossing zones. Be mindful of the thousands of Washington AAA School Safety Patrollers volunteering near crossing zones. Make eye contact with them to ensure maximum safety.

For walkers:

Before classes begin, AAA suggests parents and caregivers map out the safest route to school for their young pedestrian(s), then walk it together to pick the best intersections for crossings and become familiar with the daily trek. AAA encourages these parents to give kids the following instructions:

•Walk on sidewalks. Look for cars pulling into and backing out of driveways.

•If no sidewalk exists, walk on the left side of the road — facing traffic.

•Cross at intersections with a traffic light or marked crosswalk.

•Watch for turning cars. That includes looking back over your shoulder.

•Never cross b etween parked cars.

•Be espe cially alert in bad weather. Drivers may be unable to stop quickly in rain, snow, fog.

•Obey police officers, adult crossing guards, and AAA School Safety Patrollers.

•Play away from traffic. Stay in playgrounds, schoolyards and your own backyard.