Back to School Traffic Safety

 In the coming weeks, students in New York and other states will be heading back to school. While this can be an exciting time for children, the additional traffic does present an increased risk for pedestrians. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s latest study states that over the last decade, nearly one-third of child pedestrian deaths occurred after school, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. More than 330 child pedestrians died in 2013 and nearly 13,000 were injured. The study also found that a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is about two-thirds less likely to be killed than a pedestrian struck at 35 mph.

Tips for Motorists
Here are crucial tips for drivers to make sure that children headed back to school in New York City’s neighborhoods and communities are safe:
• Slow down. According to a recent national study, two-thirds of motorists exceed posted speed limits during the 30-minute period before and after school. Motorists should reduce their speeds when they are in a school zone or residential neighborhood and prepare to stop quickly.
• Obey traffic signs. This is something we should all do as motorists regardless of where we drive. In school zones particularly, it is important to come to a complete stop at stop signs and yield to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians who are not in crosswalks as well.
• Stay alert. You should completely avoid distractions when driving. Looking away from the roadway for just a couple of seconds may prove lethal. Do not text, talk on your cell phone or become involved with other activities that might take your attention away from the roadway.
• Look between parked cars for children who may be crossing the street. Look for signs of children nearby such as crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds. Exercise additional caution in these areas.
• Always stop for school buses. Flashing yellow lights on a school bus means it is preparing to stop or load or unload children. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms means the bus has stopped and children are getting on and off.
• Give yourself extra travel time. Back to school often means more congestion on the roads and longer drive times. Allow for the extra time so you are not tempted to disobey traffic laws.
• Be careful in bad weather. When there is rain, fog, snow or any other type of inclement weather, use more caution. Reduced visibility can make it harder for pedestrians to see the vehicles or drivers to see pedestrians.
• Reduce speed and be more cautious in areas with apartment buildings which usually contain more children.
If You Have Been Injured
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a person who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com