Monrovia PD: Watch Your Speed Near Schools

From the Monrovia Police Department:

The Monrovia Police Department and the Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) are reminding drivers to be aware when school is open and to "Pay Attention, Slow Down, and Watch for Children."

The Police Department has placed posters sponsored by AAA in and around our schools in Monrovia to remind motorists to slow down in school zones and watch for children. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at a reduced school zone speed of 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster. School zone speed limits are in place to save lives. 

In addition to slowing down, the following advice will help motorists keep children safe as they navigate their way through school zones:

• Ditch distractions - Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.

• Stay alert - Don't rush into and out of driveways. Expect pedestrians on the sidewalk, especially around schools and in neighborhoods.

• Stop at stop signs - It sounds obvious, but research shows that more than one third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods.

• Watch for bikes - Children on bicycles are often unpredictable; expect the unexpected.

• Brake for buses - A recent National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services survey showed that over 75,000 vehicles pass stopped school buses on a typical day, with more than three percent passing on the right. Not only is it dangerous, it's against the law.

• Plan ahead - Leave early for your destination and build in extra time for congestion. If possible, modify your route to avoid school zones.