Safe Lane Transportation Coalition Urges Drivers to Remember the “ABCs of School Zones”

NEWS RELEASE

August 30, 2021

Contact: Drew Pfefferle, Safe Lane Transportation Coalition Coordinator, dpfefferle@lcog.org, 208-404-3607

Eugene, Oregon – This September, after more than a year of distance learning, staggered schedules, and empty playgrounds, children across Lane County will head back to school — and traffic around school zones will increase. The Safe Lane Transportation Coalition, with support from Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST), the City of Veneta, and Lane County Safe Routes to School, has launched a new campaign. “The ABCs of School Zones” reminds parents and other people driving around school zones to be attentive while driving, have both hands on the wheel, and slow down when children are around.

The safety campaign comes at an important time: 2020 saw an alarming 7% increase in national traffic fatalities, while Oregon traffic fatalities hit a 17-year high. Drivers often make mistakes when they are caught in traffic, stressed, or late for work. If parents are planning to drive their children to school, they should schedule at least 15 extra minutes each day when driving through a school zone, and if they need to drop off or pick up their child, they should expect at least 20-minute delays.

As school resumes, drivers can expect an increase in:

• Congestion – More drivers during the morning and afternoon commutes

• Pedestrians – Students walking to and from school or the bus stop

• Buses – Picking up and dropping off students

• Bicyclists – Traveling to and from school

• Fines – Speeding in a school zone in Lane County can cost up to $875 per ticket

“The ABCs of School Zones education campaign is about making school routes safer for everyone, but especially for kids,” said Cassidy Mills of Lane County Safe Routes to School. “If we make the streets around schools safer for walking and rolling, the whole community wins.”

For more information about The ABCs of School Zones, please visit https://safelanecoalition.org/distracted-driving-prevention, or contact Drew Pfefferle at dpfefferle@lcog.org.

About Safe Lane Transportation Coalition Safe Lane Transportation Coalition, a program of Lane Council of Governments, is comprised of government agencies, public organizations, and community members that are committed to reducing and eliminating severe and fatal crashes in Lane County. Learn more at https://safelanecoalition.org.

About Lane Council of Governments LCOG’s mission is to coordinate and provide high quality public services in Lane County. Lane Council of Governments is dedicated to serving the public interest and enhancing the quality of life for citizens of Lane County. LCOG serves as a regional planning, coordination, program development, and service delivery organization in local communities across Lane County. Learn more at www.lcog.org.