AAA Warns: School's Out -- Look Out!

​With the school year coming to a close for some 55 million children across the country, it is important to remind drivers to be vigilant in the coming months. In preparation for the season, AAA Northeast is urging drivers to watch the road more carefully than usual to avoid collisions with children. One should expect more pedestrian and bike traffic especially in neighborhoods and residential areas as the days get longer and children begin to take advantage of not having school come morning.
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AAA Northeast has several tips to help ensure that both commuters have a happy and safe summer:

• Buckle up. Always buckle up every time you get into the car. Keep children in federally approved child safety or booster seats.
• Slow down. Maintain a 20-30 second visual lead, allowing time to identify unexpected problems and drive defensively.
• Look out. Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children are at play and could dart into the road.  Avoid distractions while driving.
• Use eye contact. Make eye contact with children who are about to cross the street. Be aware of their next step and be sure to indicate yours.
• Look for clues. Playgrounds and other areas may indicate children could be in the area.
• Look both ways. Make sure you are looking for pedestrians and cyclists too, not just vehicles.

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Parents also need to consider extra safety measures during summer months as well:

Wear a helmet
Make sure your children wear their helmets. Using a helmet is the single most effective countermeasure available to reduce head injuries and fatalities resulting from bike crashes.
 
Play in safe areas
Focus on keeping children occupied away from the streets. When possible, keep children within gated areas so they cannot easily dart into the street. Use the portion of the yard furthest from the street or take children to the track at a local high school where they can ride their bikes out of harm’s way.
 
Provide responsible supervision
Studies show that children under the age of 12 have not developed the ability to judge driver behavior and often are not tall enough for drivers to see.  Have a responsible sibling or adult watching your child at all times.
 
Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle.
​Temperatures can rise to deadly levels in less than 10 minutes inside a vehicle.  Do not let a young child finish a nap, or leave children or pets in the vehicle while you run an errand.  Heatstroke has already claimed the lives of 12 children in 2016.