Back to School Driving Tips

School is starting up this month. Here are some safety tips from AAA:

Slow down – Obey Washington’s 20 mph speed limit in school zones. Research shows that a pedestrian is nearly 2/3 less likely to be killed when struck by a vehicle traveling at 20 mph than at 30 mph.

Keep your eyes on the road – Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds doubles the chance of being involved in a crash.

Come to a complete stop – More than 1/3 of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop before proceeding.

Reverse responsibly – Check for children on the sidewalk, in driveways and around your vehicle before slowly backing up.

Respect crossing zones – More and 22,000 students in Washington State volunteer as AAA school safety patrollers to protect their fellow classmates during school travel. Be mindful near crossing zones and make eye contact with the patrollers to ensure maximum safety.

Watch for bicycles – Slow down and allow at least 3 feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a bicyclist.

Eliminate distractions – Avoid dangerous distractions that can increase your risk of being involved in a crash. For example, store cell phones out of reach to eliminate the temptation to text, call or email others while driving.

Talk to your teen – Find resources to help you teach your teens to become safe, responsible drivers at teendriving.AAA.com.

Plan for extra time – Drive slowly and choose alternate routes to avoid school zones if possible, or plan ahead and allow for extra ravel time if needed.