No parent wants to see their child get into an accident. Unfortunately, school zone accidents occur quite often.
Five teenagers die from an accident in a school zone every week. Accident rates for young children are decreasing, but teenagers are still getting hurt.
School zone accidents are preventable. Both pedestrians and drivers can follow safety tips that will keep kids from being injured. Here is a quick guide.
School Zone Accidents
The rates of school zone accidents are harrowing. Between 2013 and 2016, the teen pedestrian death rate rose by 13%. Teens make up a small portion of the population, yet they make half of the pedestrian fatalities.
There are several reasons why accidents occur. Students are growing more distracted while they walk. They wear headphones or play on their phones, causing them not to look at the road.
80 percent of students jaywalk. They cross the road away from sidewalks, sometimes walking in front of vehicles.
But drivers play a role as well. One in three drivers drop off their students in unsafe areas. They park across the street, forcing their student to cross into traffic.
Some drivers double park, causing an accident with another driver. A few drivers even stop in the middle of a crosswalk, diverting pedestrians into traffic flows.
Speeding in a school zone is rare, but it can cause a serious accident. An increase in the speed limit from 55 to 65 mph increases the probability of a fatal injury by 24 percent.
School Zone Safety Tips
Parents need to tell their children to walk safely. Children should not use their phones while they are moving. They should stay back from the road, walking on the sidewalk.
All pedestrians should cross the street at crosswalks. They should wait for cars to pass, then walk across the street at a signal.
Drivers should drop off and pick up their children in front of the school. They should park their cars with passenger-side doors facing the school.
All school zones should have visible signs and street lights. Cities should place school zone ahead signs along all roadways leading up to the school. Crosswalks should be clearly marked with white paint and signage.
Speed limits should be set below 20 miles per hour. Police should pull over all drivers that speed in a school zone, especially during drop-off and pick-up times.
If you or your child is injured in an accident, contact an attorney right away. A pedestrian accident settlement can pay off large hospital bills and damages to your vehicle.
Keep Your Children Safe
It is easy to reduce school zone accident rates. We need to familiarize ourselves with accident statistics and safety tips.
Most accidents occur through distracted walking. Teenagers toy with their smartphones and stop paying attention to the road. Jaywalking is another prominent factor.
Pedestrians should keep their phones in their pockets until they stop moving. They should cross the street at crosswalks when they receive signals. Speed limits should be reduced, and drop-off and pick-up times should be monitored.
Keep your children safe with facts and tips. Follow our coverage for important safety guides.
