School zones are enacted to keep young children safe while traveling to and from school. In these areas, speed limits are lowered and drivers are warned to look out for young children crossing the street. Unfortunately, according to a study recently released by Safe Kids USA, many drivers do not follow the safety rules within school zones. Drivers fail to slow down and, most alarmingly, drive distractedly through these areas intended to be a place of safety. These actions pose a serious threat to the lives of all school children as they attempt to commute to and from school.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that school age pedestrians are at far greater risk of injury and death from traffic accidents than adults. When motorists drive distractedly through school zones, the very lives of young children are at risk. The victims of distracted driving and their families must contact a Mississippi automobile accident attorney as soon as possible following a school zone accident.
School Children in Mississippi Are At Risk From Distracted Driving
Approximately 25,000 children across the U.S. are injured while commuting to and from school each year. The CDC estimates that one in four traffic fatalities involve children pedestrians under the age of 14. A significant percentage of these accidents occur in or around school zones.
This alarmingly high rate of pedestrian accidents among young children makes the data revealed by Safe Kids USA all the more troubling. According to the Safe Kids report, one in six drivers is distracted when driving through a school zone. Drivers tend to be more distracted in the afternoon than the morning, and those traveling through school zones with a high volume of traffic are the most distracted. School zones without flashing lights also appear to be least effective in encouraging drivers to slow down and pay attention.
Both male and female drivers reported driving distractedly in school zones, but women were more likely than men to focus on something other than the road ahead. An estimated 187 out of every 1,000 women drivers admitted to driving distracted, while only 154 out of every 1,000 male drivers were distracted in school zones.
Electronic devices, mainly cell phones, lead to the highest number of distractions. At least 98 out of 1,000 motorists cited the use of an electronic device as the source of their distraction. Eating, drinking, and smoking distracted another 44 out of 1,000 drivers, while reaching behind or looking behind accounted for another 19 out of 1,000 distractions. Reading came in at the end of the list, leading to three out of 1,000 distracted drivers.
Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Zealously Representing the Youngest Victims of Distracted Driving
Recent studies show that school children are increasingly at risk of injury or death due to distracted drivers. The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC urge all drivers to be vigilant at all times, especially when driving near school zones. Put away all distractions and pay attention to the road ahead. It takes all of us to keep our future generations safe. In the event you or a loved one is injured by a distracted driver, the car accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help. We will zealously fight for your full recovery following any automobile accident, seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering permanent disability, and more. Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced automobile accident attorneys.