With students back in school, drivers need to pay attention

It's been in the air for the past few weeks, the unmistakable sense that it is fall. You can sense it in the air and see it in the leaves jumping ship early to make their way onto my lawn.

In addition to a myriad of other things, fall means area munchkins head back to school today. Some will be walking to bus stops, others all the way to school. They'll be heading to practice, games and other after-school activities.

At the risk of sounding like a bad public service announcement — and to quote the American Automobile Association's annual campaign — "school's open, drive carefully."

Want some scary statistics to drive the point home?

OK, according to the AAA:

? A pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 108 minutes or injured in a traffic crash every seven minutes.

? A 2001 National SAFE KIDS Campaign found that nearly 60 percent of parents and children encountered at least one serious hazard along their routes to school.

? Many motorists in school zones and residential neighborhoods violate stop signs; 45 percent by not coming to a complete stop, 37 percent by rolling through and 7 percent by not slowing down.

? A national survey of speeding in school zones found that two-thirds of drivers exceed the posted speed limit during the 30-minute period before and after school.

? In 2003, an automated photo enforcement program found that 82 percent of drivers were passing a school bus and 78 percent were speeding in a school zone.

See, pretty scary stuff.

And, be honest now, how many of us have driven "just a few miles" above the speed limit because we didn't see any kids? Or pulled a "California stop" because we were in a hurry and didn't see any cars or people?

To help protect children, AAA urges motorists follow a few simple safety tips:

? Slow down, especially near schools and in residential areas.

? Drive with your headlights on, even during the day.

? Look for clues, such as bicycles and playgrounds, that indicate children could be nearby.

? Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs of children.

? Practice extra caution in bad weather.

? Always stop for school buses that are loading and unloading children.

So, one last time, drive carefully.

'Nuff said.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.