At a time when so many drivers use cell phones and other devices while their vehicle are in motion, school zones are becoming increasingly dangerous places for students to walk.
A new study from Zendrive analyzed more than 4 million drivers in nearly 2,000 countries across the nation and found the most dangerous (and safest) school zones throughout the United States.
California had by far the most dangerous school zones due to distracted driving. This is perhaps unsurprising considering the number of tech companies located in the state. Three of the top 10 most dangerous counties for students were in California, including San Francisco County (third), Orange County (sixth) and Los Angeles County (seventh).
Washington, D.C., Florida, Illinois and Michigan rounded out the top five worst states/areas for distracted driving in school zones. New York had four of the six most dangerous counties in the nation and was sixth-worst overall.
The study also analyzed specific driving behaviors associated with distractions. Michigan, for example, was the worst for both phone use and sudden and aggressive acceleration near school zones, with Florida and California close behind in each category.
Penalties increase in school zones
Driving offenses in school zones are treated more harshly than those that take place in other areas. These zones are typically heavily marked with crosswalks and traffic control devices. They usually even have signs telling people to pay attention and watch for students crossing.
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