Each day, an alarming average of 44 children are struck by vehicles while walking, with many incidents occurring on their way to school. This is utterly unacceptable. What kind of individual prioritizes their schedule over the safety of children?
In a revealing report by Alex Carter on the Today Show, viewers witness law enforcement monitoring the speeds of vehicles in a school zone. Some drivers were clocked at speeds reaching 56 MPH—right in front of a school. Officers set up a speed trap, and within minutes, they caught a driver—an individual named Sarah—traveling at 53 MPH. When questioned about her speed, she confidently stated, “I thought it was around 30 or 35.” How is it possible to be so out of touch? With a speedometer clearly visible, there’s no excuse for such negligence.
Carter inquires whether traveling at 50 MPH would provide enough time to stop for a child unexpectedly crossing the road. The officer responds with a firm “No. Definitely not.” The driver, when pressed further, insists, “I didn’t think I was going that fast. You just go with traffic.” But that’s not how it works. The rules of the road apply to everyone, especially when children are involved.
Yes, the speed limit in school zones can seem frustratingly low—only 15 MPH near my child’s school. However, this limit exists for a vital reason: protecting innocent lives. No one should be willing to gamble with a child’s safety just because they feel rushed or above the law.
A few moments later, another speeder is caught—this time, the driver was zipping along at 52 MPH. When asked about her speed, she replied, “I guess I’m in a bit of a hurry.” A staggering statistic from the Federal Highway Administration shows that when vehicles collide with pedestrians at speeds of 40 MPH or above, the fatality rate skyrockets to 80%. Conversely, reducing that speed to 20 MPH drops the death rate to less than 10%.
Next time you find yourself racing through a school zone, remember this: no appointment or errand is worth risking a child’s life. Your time constraints do not take precedence over their safety.
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In summary, the alarming prevalence of speeding in school zones poses a significant danger to children. There is no justification for such reckless driving, and it is imperative for all drivers to prioritize safety over convenience.