Back-to-School Means More Kids on the Road. Auto Club Urges Drivers: Slow Down, Put the Phone Down, and Save a Life.

School bells are ringing across California as districts begin the new year this week and next week, and that means thousands of children will once again be walking, biking, and riding to school. The Auto Club of Southern California reminds drivers that one careless decision behind the wheel can change a family's life forever.

The annual return to school brings a sharp increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Combined with distracted driving and speeding, it creates one of the most dangerous times of the year on California roadways.

"Back-to-school isn't just a milestone for families-it's a reminder for every driver to slow down and stay focused," said Kandace Redd, Senior Public Affairs Specialist for the Auto Club of Southern California. "Children can be unpredictable. They may dart into the street, step out from between parked cars, or be distracted while walking. We all have a responsibility to expect the unexpected and drive accordingly."

Afternoon Hours Are Especially Dangerous

The hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. are among the deadliest times for child pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occur during those after-school hours when students are walking home, riding bikes, or playing outside.

In 2023, in California:

• 1,161 pedestrians were killed.
• 164 bicyclists lost their lives.
• 16,760 people suffered serious injuries in traffic crashes.

Distraction and Speeding Continue to Cost Lives

Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of preventable crashes. In 2023, 81 people were killed and another 8,532 were seriously injured in crashes involving distracted driving in California.

Speeding only makes those crashes more severe. When children are involved, even a slight increase in speed dramatically raises the risk of death. A pedestrian struck at 25 mph is significantly more likely to survive than one struck at 35 mph. That difference can be the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

Auto Club Safety Reminders

Drivers should:

• Put the phone away and eliminate distractions.
• Slow down and obey all school zone speed limits.
• Be prepared for children to enter the roadway unexpectedly.
• Stop completely at stop signs and crosswalks.
• Watch carefully for crossing guards.
• Give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing.
• Never pass a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights.

Parents should:

• Walk school routes with younger children before the first day of school.
• Teach children to cross only at marked crosswalks and intersections.
• Encourage kids to remove headphones and put away phones before crossing the street.
• Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before stepping into a crosswalk.
• Ensure bicycle helmets fit properly and are worn every ride.

A Shared Responsibility

"Every child deserves to arrive at school safely and return home at the end of the day," Redd said. "The most important thing drivers can do is simple: slow down, stay alert, and put the phone away. Those few extra seconds could save a child's life."