Ah, back-to-school season. It is the time of year when the air is filled with the newest virus, ample social media posts with what your kid wants to be when they grow up, and taking out a loan to pay for new clothes and supplies. As delightful as this time is, it also brings one of my biggest pet peeves back into the spotlight: people who speed through school zones. If you’re looking for a way to transform me into Anger from Inside Out, just hit the gas when you see a “School Zone” sign. You may not think this applies to you, but I drive through two school zones every day, and the biggest offenders are minivans and pick-up trucks. I get it; we are stressed and late, but please apply the same decency to other children as you would like to be applied to yours.
Let’s get serious for a moment. Speeding through school zones isn’t just a minor infraction; it’s incredibly dangerous. According to the National Safety Council, more than 25,000 children are injured in school zone accidents every year. Children are unpredictable, and their little legs can’t sprint out of danger as fast as your car can barrel through. Children are particularly vulnerable because they often lack the judgment to navigate traffic safely. They may dart out between parked cars, forget to look both ways or assume that drivers will always stop for them. When you’re speeding, you reduce your reaction time and increase the severity of any potential collision. It’s a recipe for disaster. In most places, school zones have reduced speed limits during specific hours to protect our little ones. These speed limits aren’t suggestions; they’re the law. Ignoring them can result in fines, points on your license, and, in some cases, even jail time.
As a left-brained person with a healthcare background, I like to know the science and data behind how decisions are made. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to being hit at 35 mph. That’s a significant difference made by just a 10-mph reduction in speed. There is a scientific reason 25 mph was chosen. It’s about protecting the kids. Remember those carefree days when your biggest worry was whether you had the coolest lunchbox? Let’s give today’s children the same chance to make those memories safely. In back-to-school preparation, the National Safety Council provides great safety tips to review.
So, the next time you’re tempted to speed through a school zone, consider the potential consequences. Remember that you’re not just endangering yourself but also the lives of children. Slow down, take a deep breath, and embrace the chaos of back-to-school traffic with a smile. After all, it’s a small price to pay for the safety of our future. Please slow down, stay safe, and let’s make this school year the best one yet.
