Peoria, IL, Jan. 17, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PEORIA, Ill. - Illinois drivers are the third-most dangerous in the U.S., at least when they drive in school zones, according to a study from software company Zendrive. The company analyzed data on speeding and distraction among drivers in school zones, giving Illinois what could only be considered a failing grade.
Car crashes are a leading killer of school-aged children in the U.S. Peoria car accident attorney Jeff Green said that studies like these highlight a growing problem in both Illinois and the rest of the country.
“In the last couple of years, we’ve seen vehicle and pedestrian fatality rates surge,” Green said. “There are many reasons why it’s happening, one of the biggest being distraction.”
Green said that driving in school zones warrants slower speeds and increased focus, yet too many drivers fail to put down their phones and give child pedestrians the respect they deserve.
The Zendrive study found that urban areas tend to be more dangerous than rural ones, and that times of the day in which children are most likely to be picked up or dropped off for school are also the times when drivers are at their most dangerous.
In a separate study, AAA said that nearly one in four child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“Drivers are always obligated to drive carefully near pedestrians,” Green said. “But it’s worth understanding why that’s especially true for children.”
Green said that children are less likely to understand the consequences of crossing the street without looking both ways and to understand the potential threats a vehicle poses. Children are also more prone to injury when struck by a vehicle.
“In short, they’re children,” Green said. “There’s a reason why ‘act like an adult’ is something we say when we urge people to act responsibly. It’s sad that drivers in school zones aren’t acting like adults.”
Safety advocates, including those at AAA and the National Safety Council, regularly offer tips for drivers in school zones. They include…
- Carpooling with other drivers to reduce traffic.
- Stopping for school buses, crossing guards and school patrol officers with stop signs.
- Driving carefully and slowly in parking lots.
- Avoiding engaging in any distracting behavior behind the wheel.
- Never double parking.
- Never blocking crosswalks.
- Never passing a stopped vehicle.
- Never passing a stopped school bus.
“Parents are obviously concerned about school zone safety, and every driver should share those concerns,” Green said. “If we all do our part, we can make Illinois safer for school children and prevent tragic car accidents.”
About Jeff Green:
Jeff Green is a car accident attorney in Peoria, Illinois. He has represented hundreds of clients across Illinois, recovering millions of dollars on their behalf.