Many schools in Wisconsin have started classes for the 2016-2017 school year. The start of the school year increases the amount of pedestrians and traffic in school zones.

Because of the increased foot traffic, much of it by children, drivers should slow down and be vigilant in school zones. Drivers should obey all traffic laws and ensure that they are going the speed limit. By being vigilant and obeying the speed limit, pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents can be prevented.

Drivers should always be careful when driving through school zones, but they should be especially careful during the hours before school begins and the hours after school ends for the day. The afternoon is one of the most dangerous times for child pedestrians. In the last ten years, almost one third of fatal accidents involving child pedestrians occured between 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

There are things we can do to help keep children safe while they are traveling to and from school. Drivers should make sure they come to a complete stop at stop signs and make sure no children are in the road. Drivers should focus on driving and avoid distracted drving such as using a cell phone when driving. Drivers should be aware that there may be bicyclists in the road. Finally, drivers should plan their routes ahead, so they will know if they are going through a school zone.

How do you think we can keep child pedestrians safe?