Sunday was the official start of Standard Time, a time shift that means day breaks earlier but the sun sets sooner. We hope the time change will help curb auto-pedestrian accidents near schools.
Last week, two teenage girls sustained critical injuries when they were struck by automobiles as they walked to school. The accidents were not related.
Just as the time change is a good opportunity to check the batteries in one's smoke detectors, it also presents a time to reflect upon one's safety habits with regard to walking and motoring in school zones.
Junior high and senior high students are presumed to know how to cross streets at designated crosswalks, wear clothing that enables drivers to see them and practice the safety tips taught to them in elementary school — stop, look and listen. With a few exceptions, there are generally no crossing guards at junior high or high schools.
Any parent will attest that adolescents will take the shortest route possible to the school door, sometimes crossing the street in the middle of the block. If they wear headphones, they may not hear oncoming traffic. If they wear dark-colored clothing, it can be very difficult for drivers to see them.
That said, motorists have to do their part to ensure that students can travel safely to and from school. When driving in a school zone, drivers need to obey posted speed limits, comply with other traffic laws and expect the unexpected. They should hark back to their teenage years. Safety is likely the last thing on teenagers' minds. Their minds may be occupied with anxiety over an upcoming math test, performing well in the big game or their latest outbreak of acne. Equip them with a cell phone and an iPod, and they will be further distracted.
Pedestrians are not off the hook when it comes to ensuring safe passage in school zones. Students who walk to school should consider purchasing shoes, overcoats and backpacks with reflective strips that help drivers see them at dawn and dusk and during inclement weather. If a student routinely walks to and from school in the dark, he or she may want to consider using a flashlight. If a route is particularly hazardous, parents may want to carpool students to and from school.
The bottom line is: Safety in school zones is a shared responsibility.