AAA Makes Back to School Fashion Statement

    WASHINGTON--Aug. 22, 2002--Coming to a school near you, AAA, founder of the School Safety Patrol Program, introduces "'Lectric Lime" as the new color for the school safety patrol fall fashion line.
    "The decision to switch from the traditional orange to this new eye-catching color, as much as the students love it, was purely a safety issue," says Bella Dinh-Zarr, Ph.D.
    `Lectric Lime (also known as fluorescent yellow-green) allows patrollers to not only be trendy but also be seen more clearly from a greater distance.
    "It's all about safety," said Dr. Dinh-Zarr. "We want the school safety patrollers to stand out and be seen by all pedestrians and motorists in the area. Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death for children, so the safety patrollers are there to do an important job -- to save lives and prevent needless injuries."
    The history of the AAA School Safety Patrol program began in Chicago, Illinois around 1920. In response to over 180 child fatalities in one year, the Chicago Motor Club set standards and provided training, equipment, recognition and leadership for the school safety patrol. The school safety patrol program in place today is a direct result of continued efforts by AAA.
    "We estimate more than half a million school safety patrollers are protecting fellow students in their schools each day," Dinh-Zarr said. "The new `Lectric Lime' color is a brighter, more visible color for our AAA patrollers to wear. The safety patrols can be seen by motorists from a greater distance in the morning, later in the evening and also in inclement weather."
    In addition to the school safety patrol, fluorescent yellow-green is now being introduced to School Warning sign regulations found in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices printed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, December 2000.
    The previous specifications were determined on the basis of materials available more than 15 years ago. Since that time, new retroreflective materials have become available, such as fluorescent yellow-green.
    AAA was in agreement with this new research and instituted the change from the standard school safety patrol color. So, keep an eye out for the new "'Lectric Lime" fashion and safety statement as children begin the new school year. And, as always, AAA urges motorists to drive carefully and be alert in areas where children are present.
    As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its 45 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

    Editors and reporters note:

    Back to School b-roll and an audio news release is available regarding the safety patrol uniform change and tips on driving carefully in school zones. Contact AAA at (202) 942-2050.

    AAA news releases are available from http://www.aaa.com/news