Your Body: Distracted Driving and School Zones

iStock/ThinkstockBy DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, ABC News Senior Medical Contributor

Hundreds of children and teens are killed every year while walking roadside — and school zones, in particular, remain a deadly hazard.

A study by Safe Kids Worldwide examined some of the contributing factors and found that almost 30 percent of high school students were distracted by their phones while walking to school. More than 40 percent of students failed to look before crossing the street.

Meanwhile, 1 in 10 drivers were distracted by mobile devices while arriving or departing from schools.

My prescription? While driving near schools, slow down and anticipate the unexpected. Encourage your kids not to use their phones while walking or crossing the street. It only takes one second for an accident to happen.

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