As summer draws to a close, the next couple of weeks are when most Kansas students return back to schools across the state.  AAA Kansas warns drivers to be especially vigilant for pedestrians before, during and after-school hours.  Nearly one-third of all child pedestrian fatalities in the United States occur between 3:00pm and 7:00pm.   Through its annual “School’s Open, Drive Carefully” public awareness campaign, AAA aims to help reduce child pedestrian fatalities and injuries. 

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed as compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just ten mph faster.