SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Back-to-school season is here, and with nearly 2 million children heading back to classrooms across Georgia, safety is top of mind. Ahead of the first day of school, AAA and local officials are urging drivers to slow down and stay alert.

As students return to class next Monday, drivers will see more kids walking, biking, and boarding buses. However, most child pedestrian deaths happen on school weekdays, right before or after school. That’s why AAA is making safe transportation to school a top priority.

AAA, in partnership with the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS) and local police, is renewing its “School’s open, drive carefully” campaign. It focuses on reducing speeding, distractions, and dangerous driving in school zones.

A survey shows 41% of Georgians speed and 28% use phones in active school zones. To address this, Chatham County’s school zone speed cameras will reactivate on August 4. The campaign also highlights ‘Addy’s Law,’ which fines drivers $1,000 and may jail those who illegally pass stopped school buses.

In a statement, SCCPSS shared, “Our number one priority is to keep our staff and students safe – not only while they are in school – but also on their way to and from school. This campaign reminder for drivers at the beginning of each school year is invaluable in helping us to achieve that goal.”

Last year alone, over 31,000 speeding violations were recorded, but officials say those numbers have dropped more than 90% since the cameras were first installed in 2021.

On average, 173 drivers sped through the Chatham school zones every day last year.

Back-to-School Safety Stats & Reminders:

• 41% of Georgia drivers admit to speeding in active school zones
• $1,000+ fine for passing a stopped school bus
• School zone speed cameras reactivating August 4
• 31,154 violations caught by Chatham County school zone cameras last year
• 90% drop in school zone speeding since cameras launched in 2021

In 2023, 63% of child pedestrian deaths happened during the school week. That’s a statistic AAA and Georgia schools are determined to change. The school zone cameras that will reactivate on August 4th target drivers going 11mph above the limit.

AAA’s campaign, which has been running since 1946, focuses on life-saving tips, like coming to a full stop at crosswalks, checking for children before reversing, and eliminating distractions. Meanwhile, safety patrollers and school officials will be stepping up efforts to educate parents and students on crossing rules and drop-off safety. The overall goal is to prevent tragedy before it strikes.