BECAUSE
YOU BELONG
TRAFFIC SAFETY
Back to school safe driving tips
As summer ends, motorists will begin to see an increase in pedestrian and bicyclist
traffic as children return to the classroom. In Arizona, there were 3,572 crashes
and 171 fatalities in 2007, many involving children commuting to or from school.
To help protect students, AAA Arizona encourages motorists to follow these safety
tips:
- Obey the speed limit. Drive no faster than
15 miles per hour in or near a school zone.
Fines may be double when “Stop When Children
in Crosswalk” signs are present.
- Remember, school zones are non-passing zones.
Passing in a 15 mph school zone is against
the law.
- Drop children off on school property, not
on neighborhood streets.
- Scan between parked cars and other objects
for children who could dart into the road.
- Walk around your vehicle before moving it,
especially during morning and afternoon hours.
- Always stop for school buses that are loading
or unloading students. It is illegal to pass
a school bus with flashing red lights or an
engaged red stop arm.
- 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.
- Obey the crossing guard at all school crossings.
Do not proceed through the crosswalk until
the children and the crossing guard have cleared
the roadway.
- Make sure your children who bike to school
know and follow safe riding practices and that
they always wear a proper-fitting bike helmet.
Photo: ©istockphoto.com
Traffic Safety Workshops for Teen Drivers
Dare to Prepare is a free workshop for AAA members
designed to help parents and pre-permit, permitted
or newly licensed teen drivers navigate the
learning-to-drive process. The workshop aims
to increase exposure to traffic safety issues
and promote parental involvement in the learning-to-drive
process.
Upcoming workshop dates and locations include:
Chandler
Thursday, July 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Chandler Public Library
22 S. Delaware St.
Wednesday, August 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Basha Library
5990 S. Val Vista Dr.
Mesa
Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Mesa Community College
1833 W. Southern Ave.
Tucson
Tuesday, August 4, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone Ave.
Scottsdale
Wednesday, August 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Arabian Library
10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd.
Space is limited. To learn more or register
for an upcoming workshop, please contact Roxanne
Bravo, traffic safety specialist, at 602-241-2945
or rbravo@arizona.aaa.com.
For resources and tips on teen driving, visit teensatthewheel.com.
