(AAA)-- As 55 million children across the country have gone back to school, AAA urges motorists to slow down and stay alert in neighborhoods and school zones, and to be especially vigilant for pedestrians during before- and after-school hours. In 2013 more than 330 child pedestrians died and 13,000 were injured nationwide. More than half of those deaths occurred during school transportation hours. The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous for walking children – over the last decade, nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3-7 p-m

AAA recommends the following life-saving tips to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road:

Slow Down

Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason.  Stay alert to variable speed zones that require a reduced speed when warning lights are flashing or when children are present.

Children are unpredictable and may have difficulty gauging the distance and speed of an approaching car.

Eliminate Distractions

Keep your eyes on the road at all times.

Avoid activities that take even one hand off the steering wheel.

Avoid cell phone use by placing it in a safe place until you arrive at your destination.

Walk/Ride in Safe Places

Cross streets only at corners, using crosswalks and obey all traffic signals.

If you walk on roads that have no sidewalks, walk facing traffic and as far from the roadway as possible.

When biking, ride with the flow of traffic and obey all traffic laws, signs, signals and pavement markings.

Stay Alert and Obey Traffic Rules

Check for children on the sidewalk, driveway and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Expect pedestrians on the sidewalk, especially around schools and in neighborhoods.

Stop at stop signs!  Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods.

Be alert and ready to stop for school buses.  It may be tempting to drive around a stopped school bus, but not only is it dangerous, it is against the law.