JACKSON, MISS., Tuesday, September 15, 2009---With the start of a new school year already in session, parents and drivers are urged to pay close attention when traveling in and near school zones. Watching out for children particularly during rush hour will keep them safe while in transit to school.

“Whether children are walking, biking or riding the bus to school, it is the responsibility of everyone to make sure that children are safe on the way to and from school,” said MDOT Executive Director Larry L. “Butch” Brown. “Everyone should follow the rules of the road. Buckling up for safety, wearing a helmet while bicycling, staying focused when driving, and not becoming distracted will help reduce the risk of injuries and death while children are in route to school and will improve safety.”

Statistics have shown that one of every six drivers in U.S. school zones is distracted by cell phones, eating, drinking, smoking, reading and grooming.

According to a Safe Kids USA survey, it was determined that drivers who are not wearing a seatbelt are 34 percent more likely to be distracted than a belted driver; afternoon drivers are 22 percent more likely to be distracted than morning drivers and female drivers are 21 percent more likely to be distracted than male drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s survey revealed that using electronics while driving such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and Smartphones are the leading category of distractions.

“Drivers must be on their best behavior when traveling through a school zone or near a school,” Brown said.  “Being a good role model for our children is exactly what we want to achieve for the safety of our children. A good role model buckles up for safety, always wears a helmet when bicycling, follows pedestrian safety rules, and NEVER texts while driving.”

The Mississippi Department of Transportation offers the following back-to-school safety tips to the public:

·         Do not text or talk on your cell phone while driving.

·         Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits.

·        Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

·        Be alert for school zones that have a reduced speed limit at designated times of the day.

·        Watch for school buses. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate the school bus is stopping to load or unload children. State law requires you to stop.

·         Keep an eye out for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks.

•   Remain alert for children playing and gathering near bus stops and     for those who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Watch for children walking or biking to school.