School’s out for the summer in Jackson Hole

School’s out for the summertime, and that means drivers will need to be more alert in residential neighborhoods. Kids who are not in school usually are out in their neighborhoods, around pools, parks and playgrounds, and at summer activities or events. Often in their exuberance of play, they forget to exercise their best traffic safety behavior.

AAA Auto Club recommends drive with your headlights on, even during the day, so that children can see you; slow down and maintain a 20- to 30-second visual lead to identify unexpected problems; scan between parked cars and other objects for indications that children are at play in the area; watch for warnings such as balls and bike ramps that indicate children could dart into the road; and make eye contact with children who are about to cross the street and watch for their next step. With school out for the summer, now is the time more than ever to observe the old adage, “expect the unexpected.”