Drivers Must Use Caution as Kids Head Back to School: AAA

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The American Automobile Association (AAA) is urging motorists to use extra caution as children across the Twin Cities metro head back to school.

AAA urges motorists to slow down and stay alert in neighborhoods and school zones, and to be especially vigilant for pedestrians during before and after-school hours.

About half of Hennepin County schools will be open on Monday, Aug. 29 (Minneapolis, Edina, and Hopkins Public Schools, grades 1-12). The remaining schools will open on Tuesday, Sept. 6 (Bloomington, Minnetonka, and Wayzata Public Schools grades 1-12).

"As a bus driver and a driving school instructor, I know how energetic kids can be and how excited they can get when they’re starting a new grade or at a new school," said Mike Torkelson, a driving instructor at AAA Minneapolis.

"We work to teach bus safety to students in Hennepin County who, even if they don’t use a bus to get to school, will likely ride on one for a field trip at some point. It’s important to remember to keep clear of the ‘danger zone’ around the bus to make sure you’re away from the tires and keep out of the driver’s blind spot."

"When I train crossing guards, at the beginning of the school year, we go through procedures they will use when crossing students in crosswalks," said Pat Stacken, a safety patrol advisor at Alice Smith Elementary.

"One very important word is ‘alert.’ Everyone needs to be ‘alert.’ It applies to crossing guards, students, parent drivers, bus drivers, everyone. We all need to have our eyes and ears open all the time."

Image: Mark Goebel via Flickr /Creative Commons