It is common knowledge that injuries can result in any car accident. When a car strikes a pedestrian the injuries can be severe and even fatal. Time constraints during the morning and afternoon rush hours can increase distractions for drivers and parents of school aged children.

Catherine E. Doyle elementary school in Wood-Ridge was the site of a press conference on September 9 to raise awareness for school zone safety. Between 2007 and 2009, nineteen children between the ages of 5 and 15 lost their lives in pedestrian, motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey. Car crashes with pedestrians accounted 2000 injuries to the same age group during the period.

Not only children are endangered by traffic  in school zones, "far too many crossing guards have been injured or killed in recent years here in New Jersey," according to David N. Grubb of the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund. The group produced a 10-minute video in conjunction with the Division of Highway Traffic and Safety called "School Zone- Danger Zone."

The campaign message is a two way street. The speakers not only urged drivers to exercise caution to reduce injuries from car accidents, but also encouraged children to use caution. Children were told to always use crosswalks and to obey the instructions of crossing guards. At the September 9 news conference, Pam Fischer, Director of the Division of Highway Traffic and Safety told parents not to use cell phones behind the wheel, not to text while driving and urged parents and students to use caution in school zones to reduce the risk of injury.

Source: The Record of New Jersey, "Campaign highlights the importance of school safety," Erin Patricia Griffiths, 14 Sep 2010