Motorists Urged To Change Driving Habits For 1st Day Of School

That includes slowing down near school buildings & neighborhoods.

 

Frederick, Md (KM) School bells will be ringing very soon in Frederick County and other parts of Maryland. While students are busy getting ready for the first day of classes, AAA Mid-Atlantic is reminding motorists to readjust their habits, especially if they travel near a school buildings or where children gather. “Mostly, slowing down and following the speed limit,”: says spokeswoman Ragina Cooper Averella. “And that’s when there is a school zone, motorists should make sure they keep their speeds low, and be prepared to stop quickly for school buses. And also for increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic.”

Averella says come  to a complete stop at intersections with stop signs. “Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones and neighborhoods,” she says.

AAA also urges motorists to scan between parked cars “particularly during weekdays,{when}  the highest percentage of child pedestrian deaths occur,” says Averella.

The auto club says motorists  should remember to stop for school buses taking on or dropping off children. “When those lights are flashing red and the extended stop arms, that means the bus is stopped, children are getting on and off, and motorists are required to stop their vehicles from either direction of the road,” says Averella. “If it’s a highway type situation where there’s a median in the road, that doesn’t apply under those circumstances.”

“Look for signs and clues that there are children nearby. They’re sometimes excited about going to school, and may not be paying as much attention as they should,” says Averella. “So it’s incumbent upon us as adults and parents to make sure that we’re keeping an eye out for the children.”

School starts in Frederick County on Tuesday, September 4th. Classes have already started in jurisdictions in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

 

By Kevin McManus