ABC’s of Safety Found in B-SAFE           
          
[August 22, 2008] – It’s that time of the year again: Back to school and time to return to the daily grind. The Maryland State Highway Administration, along with Choose Safety for Life campaign partners, is encouraging everyone to get back to basics with road safety. As back-to-school lists are being created, be sure to add a review of the rules of the roads whether driving, walking or biking, no matter your age. Wrong choices on the road have dire consequences, as evidenced by the 276 crashes, 161 injuries and at least one death that will happen today as a result of traffic crashes. By following the tenets of the Choose Safety for Life campaign outlined in B-SAFE: Buckle up, Slow down – speeding kills, Always drive sober, Focus, Everyone share the road – everyone gets home, more than 600 lives could be saved every year.          
          
“Studies indicate that 93 percent of fatal crashes are caused by driver error,” said Maryland State Highway Administrator and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative Neil J. Pedersen. “By making the right choices on the road, we can save lives.”          
          
With the opening of school rapidly approaching for most of Maryland, drivers are reminded to be vigilant in their travels, particularly in school zones during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal times.           
          
Drivers should:          
Stay alert and give driving your full attention.           
Be courteous to other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.           
Comply with our traffic laws including stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks.          
Avoid aggressive driving and follow the posted speed limit, which may be lowered in school zones.           
          
On average, more than 150 school-aged pedestrians are injured during school arrival and dismissal times. With buses and children soon to be crowding the streets again, we should all revive our school-zone safety knowledge. When driving near school buses, remember:          
It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus while its lights are flashing and its’ stop arm is extended.           
          
On undivided roadways, with no physical barrier or median, vehicles must stop on both sides of the roadway.           
Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.           
Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.           
Parents, your children aren’t ready for school until they’ve had a review of the rules of the road:          
Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.           
Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.           
When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a wide distance between you and the bus. Also, remember that the bus driver can see you best when you are away from the bus.           
Make sure that the driver can see you.           
Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do.           
When walking to school:          
Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections whenever possible.          
Always stop at the curb or the edge of the road and look left, then right, and then left again before crossing. Continue looking in this manner until you are able to cross safely.           
With your parents, choose the quickest and safest route with the fewest street crossings.           
Use intersections with crossing guards when possible.           
If vision is blocked by a parked car or other obstacle, pedestrians should move out to where drivers can see them and they can see other vehicles -- then stop, and look left-right-left again.           
Obey and follow all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard.           
Never cross the street against a light, even if you don't see any traffic coming.           
Walk your bike through intersections.           
Walk with a buddy.           
Wear reflective material...it makes you more visible to street traffic.           
          
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