As children return to school, AAA East Central is launching its annual School’s Open - Drive Carefully campaign.

The campaign encourages parents to talk about the importance of school zone safety with their children and teen drivers. It also advises motorists to take extra caution when traveling through school zones or near school buses.

“School zone speed limits, AAA school safety patrollers and crossing guards are in place to save lives,” said JJ Miller, safety adviser for AAA East Central. “Since children can move quickly and cross the road unexpectedly, it is important to obey speed limits and be ready to stop at a moment’s notice.”

Speed is a crucial factor in protecting the lives of students. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 20 mph is about two-thirds less likely to be killed as compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph.

In addition to slowing down, AAA offers the following advice for motorists when they drive through school zones:

• Ditch distractions. Research shows that glancing away from the road for just two seconds doubles the chances of crashing.

• Stay alert. Don’t rush into and out of driveways. Expect pedestrians on the sidewalk, especially around schools and in neighborhoods. Mind vehicle blind spots, check for children on the sidewalk, in the driveway, and around the vehicle before slowly backing up.

• Brake for buses. It may be tempting to drive around a stopped school bus, but not only is it dangerous - it is against the law.

• Watch for bikes. Children on bicycles are often unpredictable, so expect the unexpected. Motorists should slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between their vehicle and bicyclists. • Plan ahead. Leave early and build in extra time for congestion. If possible, modify routes to avoid school zones.