The Woodward News

Local News

August 23, 2012

AAA urges driver safety around schools

Gary Engel Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — OKLAHOMA CITY - Officials at AAA Oklahoma want drivers to be safe around children heading back to school on foot or by bike.

AAA Oklahoma spokesman Chuck Mai notes that around 7 million U.S. youngsters, or approximately 13 percent of all 55 million school children in the nation, walk or bike to school.  So it is important that drivers aware of them.

"We are warning drivers to be especially vigilant regarding pedestrians during before- and after-school hours," he said.

Mai said the hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. are especially dangerous, as over the last decade, nearly a third of child pedestrian fatalities occurred during those hours.

"It's up to adult drivers to watch out for children walking and biking to and from school," he said.



CROSSING GUARDS HAVE A ROLE

Drivers should also pay attention to crossing guards and follow their instructions.

Mai spotlighted the role that crossing guards play in seeing to it that children get to school safely, while exposing themselves to danger when they step into the street.

"They do great work," he said. "They provide a valuable, lifesaving service. They're out there in the morning, in the afternoon, and  regardless of the weather. We really need to pay attention to them and respect their instructions and directions. I'm not sure kids could get to school safely at all without them."



WAYS TO DRIVE SAFELY

Mai said AAA recommends drivers follow 6 steps to hep keep kids safe during the school year:

- Slow down. He said there's a reason why school zones have reduced speeds. Mai said a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour is about two-thirds less likely to be killed, rather than by a vehicle traveling even a little bit faster at 35 mph.

- Eliminate distractions. Mai said research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds doubles your chances of crashing. "Put the phone down," he said, noting that when children may be in the area, drivers should watch for the unexpected.  "Children often cross the road unexpectedly and they may emerge suddenly from between parked cars," he said.

- Back up responsibly. Note blind spots. Look for children on the sidewalk, driveway and everywhere around your vehicle before backing up - slowly. "Teach your children never to play in, under or around parked vehicles," Mai said.

- Make a complete stop. He said research shows that more than a third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones and neighborhoods. "And when you come to a complete stop, watch for kids on the sidewalk, who may suddenly dart in front of you, and of course, in crosswalks," he said.

- Keep an eye out for bicyclists. "The children are often inexperienced, as well as being unsteady and just unpredictable," Mai said. "Slow down and allow at least 3 feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the biker. Require the kids to wear a properly-fitted bicycle helmet every time they ride, including to school."

- Communicate with teenage drivers, and emphasize safety when talking to them. Mai said that car crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens and that more than 1 in 4 of those fatal teen crashes occur between 3 and 7 p.m. "We've got guidance and tips at TeenDriving.AAA.com," he said.



CAMPAIGN CONTINUES IN 66TH YEAR

Also check AAA.com for its "School's Open-Drive Carefully" awareness campaign that was unveiled in 1946 in an effort to prevent school-related child/pedestrian crashes, Mai said.

In addition to that program, he said drivers may want to check a section of a website about seatbelt safety tailored to children, where they can play games, watch car seat safety videos and download coloring pages. That can be found at SafeSeats4Kids.AAA.com

For more information, contact Mai at (405) 753-8040 or chuck.mai@aaaok.org.

Text Only
Local News
  • County OKs agreements

    Woodward County Commissioners approved a renewal contract between Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs and the county during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday morning.

    June 18, 2013

  • Infrared camera can help with safety

    Ever since Spencer Albracht can remember, he has been taking things apart, curious about just what made them work.
    "Back then, when I was a kid, I mostly couldn’t get them put back together,” Albracht joked.

    June 16, 2013

  • Celebrating with American Cancer Society

    Teams at this year's Relay for Life in Woodward had a party.
    A birthday party that is, as they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the American Cancer Society (ACS).  They also celebrated how ACS seeks to help all cancer patients celebrate more birthdays.
    So during Friday night's Relay birthday party, the guests of honor were, as they are every year, the many local cancer survivors.
    The News visited with just a few of these brave battlers who shared stories about their individual journeys to overcome cancer.

    June 16, 2013

  • Commission to take up contracts

    Approval of the annual contract with the Woodward Industrial Foundation is one of the major topics Woodward City Commissioners will discuss in their regular meeting on Monday.

    June 16, 2013

  • 6 arrested on felony methamphetamine charges

    A single search warrant recently led to the arrest of 6 people on serious drug charges including intent to distribute and endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine.

    June 16, 2013

  • Students to benefit from bond issue

    Days after the Sharon-Mutual Bond Issue passed, school officials are still celebrating on the inside, said Jeff Thompson, Sharon-Mutual superintendent.

    June 16, 2013

  • School board hires BWA Architects

    While the actual size of a bond issue proposal for the Woodward School District is still being determined, there is an architectural firm on board to go along with the already-hired construction manager Joe D. Hall.

    June 15, 2013

  • Back to School Bash coming up at Living Word

    It all started with just two women who wanted to ease the pressures associated with preparing to send children back to school in the fall.

    June 14, 2013

  • Meeting focuses on early childhood development

    What do a university dean, a bank president, a former business manager, a school board member, a city official, an executive director of a youth services agency, and a state legislator have in common?

    June 14, 2013

  • Patterson preparing for national contest

    She wants to be the rodeo queen who makes time for people and remembers where she came from.

    June 14, 2013