School Zone Accidents – Causes and Statistics

Causes of School Zone Accidents

Accidents in school zones can involve many different factors, but the true cause usually comes down to two issues – Distracted or negligent drivers, and distracted walkers.

Negligent drivers – Some drivers deliberately and negligently choose to ignore the speed restrictions and cautions that a school zone requires. These drivers may even see the pedestrian before a collision but not have enough time to react or stop because of their reckless driving.

Distracted drivers – Distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in an accident. This is because distractions like cell phones, texting, eating, and others make it difficult to be aware of details such as speed, signage, and surroundings. A distracted driver may not even realize they are in a school zone, or that they are speeding before they collide with a child pedestrian. Studies have discovered distracted driving to be comparable or even worse than driving drunk.

Distracted walkers – Children and pedestrians are more distracted than ever these days. They are even more likely to walk into roads without paying attention when in a school zone. Even children who have been educated about traffic laws can get excited or distracted and step into roads without looking. When a distracted walker n a school zone is combined with a distracted or negligent driver, the result is often a devastating accident.

How School Zone Accidents Differ From Other Accidents

There are some key differences that set school zone accidents apart from other types of accidents. Unlike other car accidents, school zone accidents:

• More frequently occur on weekdays, especially Wednesdays, instead of weekends.
• Often happen during the day with decent lighting conditions, rather than at night with reduced visibility.
• Commonly occur during good weather, rather than in inclement weather conditions.

Accidents in school zones often involve children, either as victims or witnesses. Not only does this make the situation more intense and emotional, but there are also important legal implications to consider.

• When a child is injured in a school zone accident, they can’t represent themselves in court. This means any lawsuit has to be filed and pursued by a parent or guardian, or another representative.
• Children merit a higher duty of care, which means any compensation owed could be much higher than in accidents involving adults only.
• Child pedestrians are held to a lower standard than adults and are rarely considered contributorily negligent, even if they were distracted. Adult cases, on the other hand, can be negatively affected by any contributory negligence found.

Importance of School Zone Laws and Regulations

In Arkansas, a school zone is defined as beginning 300 feet before the school and continuing 300 feet beyond the school. The city should have clearly marked signs to start and finish school zones in the community. While not all school zones are required to have flashing lights, driving laws still apply. Arkansas law states that the speed limit in school zones during school hours and when children are present outside the building should be no more than 25 mph.

Arkansas also enacted a “Fewer Distractions Means Safer Driving Act” to protect children inside school zones from harm. This states that a driver of a moving vehicle is not allowed to use handheld wireless devices while operating the vehicle in the school zone. Texting on a cell phone and driving is illegal everywhere in Arkansas.

When driving near school buses, Arkansas law requires all drivers to stop and wait when a school bus is unloading and loading passengers, even when there are no crossing guards. All drivers on both sides of the road are required to stop until the school bus is no longer displaying its alternating red warning lights.

There is another additional statute in the state pertaining to school zones known as Isaac’s law. This law states that a person commits negligent homicide if they knowingly and illegally pass a school bus that is actively unloading or loading children and they strike and kill a child in the process. This law was named after Isaac Brien who was killed in 2004 after leaving his school bus. This crime is a Class C felony in Arkansas.

We’re There When You Need Us

Over a hundred children are killed in school zones every year. This statistic is sobering for many families who trust that their children will be safe on their way to and from school. At Rainwater, Holt, & Sexton, we believe that even one child that is killed in a school zone is too many. Children in Tennessee, Arkansas, and beyond have a right to go to school without fear of being injured or killed at a bus stop while exiting their bus, or while walking across a school crossing with their friends. When distracted drivers or reckless drivers don’t take the time to consider your child’s life, they can and should be held accountable.