AAA Reminds Drivers To Watch For Children As School Opens

School's Open, Drive Carefully is the message from AAA once again as schools all across Central New York open their doors this week.

Ed Welsh of AAA Central New York says to remember the busses are back out there and the afternoon hours can be the most dangerous.

"The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous because our statistics show in the last decade a third of all pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 & 7 p.m.," Welsh said. "Obviously when kids get out of school they're excited, they get darting out between cars, so we really want to tell people to slow down when you get near school zones, playgrounds, bus stops and neighborhoods."

Welsh also offered a few tips for drivers to keep the roads safe for children:

Slow down - a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.

Come to a complete stop - research shows more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or residential neighborhoods.

Eliminate Distractions - taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing. Children can be quick , crossing the road unexpectedly or emerging suddenly between two parked cars. Reduce risk by not using your cell pone or eating while driving.

Reverse responsibly - Every vehicle has blind spots check for children all around you.

Watch for bicycles - children on bikes are often unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least 3 feet of passing distance.

For more expert advice and safety tips at AAA's website.