BECAUSE
YOU BELONG
Back to School Safety Tips
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, one-fifth of all children 14 years
of age and younger who die in motor vehicle crashes
are pedestrians. These fatalities are more likely
to happen in the afternoon hours, when school is
letting out.
AAA Arizona would like to offer the following tips
to motorists as the new school year begins:
- Obey the speed limit. Drive no faster than
15 miles per hour in or near a school zone. In
2006, a law went into effect that doubles the
fines for violations when the “STOP WHEN CHILDREN
IN CROSSWALK” signs are present. Under the law,
drivers will pay a minimum of $200, depending
on the jurisdiction.
- Remember, school zones are non-passing zones.
Passing in a 15 mph school zone is against the
law.
- Always stop for school buses that are loading
and unloading students. It is illegal to pass
a school bus with flashing red lights.
- Drop children off on school property, not on
neighborhood streets.
- Obey the crossing guard at all school crossings.
Stop before reaching a crosswalk when the stop
sign is in an upright position and the crossing
guard and children are in the crosswalk. Do not
proceed through the crosswalk until the children
and the crossing guard have cleared the roadway.
- Scan between parked cars and other objects
for signs that children could dart into the road.
- Walk around your vehicle before moving it,
especially during morning and afternoon hours.
- Teach children that “parked” vehicles might
move. Let them know that even though they can
see the vehicle, the driver might not be able
to see them.
Following these tips will help ensure a safe and
violation-free return to school for both students
and parents alike.
A Wealth of Resources for Teen Drivers
With the implementation of the Teenage Driver Safety
Act in July, drivers younger than 18 getting
their license for the first time are holding
a graduated driver’s license (GDL) for the first
six months after the permit phase. Holding a
GDL, 16 and 17 year olds may not drive with more
than one passenger other than a family member,
and may not be on the road between midnight and
5 a.m. States with similar laws in place have
shown marked decreases in crashes involving teen
drivers. For more information on the new law,
visit AAAaz.com/news/TDSA.htm
Because this information is so new and affects
so many, a new website called TeensAtTheWheel.com was
created. Sponsored by AAA Insurance, the site provides
a comprehensive overview of what teen drivers and
their parents need to know as they navigate the
learning-to-drive process. The site includes information
on the new GDL law, distracted driving, choosing
a driving school, driver training products, free
workshops, Start Smart newsletter subscription,
teen driver crash statistics and much more.
Parents and teens can also sign up for our award-winning
Dare to Prepare workshops. These 90-minute presentations
explain the permit/license process and help foster
communication between parents and teens on such
topics as why teens crash, what kind of car to
buy, who should pay for insurance, and why distracted
driving is so dangerous. For dates and locations
visit AAAaz.com/news/DaretoPrepare.htm
Parents interested in registering their teens for
a third-party driving school can visit AAAaz.com/news/articles/ADSN.htm for
a list of AAA Approved Driving Schools that have
passed a stringent list of requirements to earn
the AAA seal of approval. These schools are MVD
certified and offer reduced rates to AAA members.
Finally, for an overview on the new GDL law, rules
of the road and tips on teaching your teen, call
AAA Public Affairs at 602-650-2716 or e-mail publicrelations@arizona.aaa.com for
a copy of the new, 36-page Safe Driving booklet,
sponsored by AAA Insurance, Motor Vehicle Division
and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
Keeping the Keys
AAA is dedicated to keeping seniors driving as
long and as safely as possible. Maintain your mobility
by attending Keeping the Keys, a free workshop
to arm mature drivers with the information and
resources essential for staying on the road longer
and safer.
October 16
AAA Phoenix
3144 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix
10 to 11 a.m.
Spaces are limited. To register, call 602-241-2945
or e-mail jreynolds@arizona.aaa.com.
