American children don’t get enough exercise. But families who live near their children’s schools may be able to find an easy solution: a bike or walking commute to school.
Biking and walking are fun, safe, and healthy activities that don’t cost anything. AAA estimates that parents who drive only one mile to their children’s school each year spend $200.00 on car expenses. Parents can reduce their fuel consumption as gas prices rise to record levels by making long-distance reservations.
A safer way to commute to school is to cycle or walk. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTA), the majority of traffic-related death of school-aged children occurs when they are in vehicles. Only 16% of traffic-related deaths among children between 5 and 15 years old in 2006 were pedestrians.
Some organizations work to make walking to school safer. More than half a million AAA School Safety Patrol members have been posted in 30,000 schools across the country. School sponsors train AAA School Safety Patrol members to protect younger children from motorists as they walk to school. AAA encourages parents of children to join a bicycle or walking school bus as a way to help their child get to school.
Walking to school offers a chance for relaxation and communication. Parents who are tired of traffic congestion may find it relaxing to walk the streets each morning or evening.
Children walking to school must be noticed by commuters. Motorists who drive through school zones should slow down, slow down, keep their headlights on, and look for children walking to school.
You can contact your local AAA office to learn more about setting up a AAA School Safety Patrol or how to safely get to school.
