As kids head back to classes across the state this week, drivers are being urged to remember safety in school zones.
Knowing when to stop around school buses is especially important, says Nick Jarmusz with AAA-Wisconsin. If the lights are flashing and the stop arm is out, he says you don’t move. “You treat that stop arm the same way you would treat a stop sign at an intersection.”
Also, be on the look-out for crossing guards around schools. Jarmusz says “make sure you are following their instructions and really giving students the opportunity they need to cross the street safely.”
Teen drivers are another concern. Jarmusz says parents should take time to remind them to eliminate distractions while behind the wheel, whether it be from friends riding in the vehicle with them or using a cell phone. He notes that a previous survey by AAA found the leading cause of crashes among teen drivers was being distracted while behind the wheel.
Those warnings extend beyond teens as well. Jarmusz urges all drivers to avoid distractions when traveling around schools.