For children across Cannon County, registrations will end and school will soon be back in session which means increased traffic on roadways. AAA’s School’s Open – Drive Carefully campaign urges drivers to not be caught off guard by the increased traffic during their commute.According to Stephanie Milani of Tennessee’s Auto Club“ As summer winds down, students are gearing up for a new school year. This means changes to their schedule, but can also mean changes to drivers’ routines as well.. “AAA’s campaign reminds us of the need for extra vigilance and patience so that everyone gets to their destination safely.”
AAA recommends drivers observe the following guidelines to help keep children safe: They want you to remember to STOP, DROP and PATROL…
STOP: Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
DROP: Drop distractions. Tennessee law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers in active school zones. However, hand-held cell phones are not the only distraction to drivers. Anything that takes the drivers’ eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind of the task of driving is a distraction.
PATROL: Patrol or scan the road ahead more vigilantly. Increase your vigilance and scan ahead for students at the usual spots like bus stops, school zones and playgrounds, but also be alert for kids before and after school during the hours of 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. which is historically this the most dangerous times for student pedestrians.