BankAtlantic Community Bulletin Board: Back-To-School Auto Safety Tips
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. – August 25, 2009 – BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, announced its Community Bulletin Board: Back-To-School Auto Safety Tips.
Pedestrian injury is the second leading cause of injury-related death in the United States for children ages 5 to 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 33,500 children were treated in emergency rooms for pedestrian-related injuries in 2005.
Approximately 45% of vehicles observed in school zones and residential neighborhoods during a 2003 national observational survey did not come to a complete stop at stop signs, 37% rolled through a stop sign, and 7% did not even slow down. Additionally, nearly a third of motorists violated stop signs when a child pedestrian was present.
“Approximately fifty-six million children across the country are heading back to school this month, and BankAtlantic is urging motorists to give our kids a break by slowing down and staying alert in our neighborhoods and school zones,” commented Jarett Levan, CEO of BankAtlantic. “Back-to-school season is an exciting time of new beginnings for the children in our community and we can all help to make this new school year a safer one by following this checklist of easy safety tips.”
· Observe School Zone Speeds. Slow down in or near school or residential areas, and be sure to come to a complete stop at all intersections.
· Obey the Crossing Guards and look for bicycles and playgrounds which indicate children could be in the area.
· Watch for Darting Children. Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children could dart into the road.
· Exercise Caution around School Buses. Always stop for school buses that are loading and unloading students. It's the law.
· Drive with your headlights on - even during the day - so children and other drivers can see you.
· Leave a little early so you are not rushed as you travel to work or school.
· When driving in a school or playground area, use the cell phone only when absolutely necessary. Also, do not text message, access the internet or use any other distracting technology while driving through a school zone.
About BankAtlantic:
BankAtlantic, “Florida’s Most Convenient Bank”, is one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Florida. Via its broad network of community branches, online banking division - BankAtlantic.com, and conveniently located ATMs, BankAtlantic provides a full line of personal, small business and commercial banking products and services. BankAtlantic is open 7 days a week with extended weekday hours, Free Online Banking & Bill Pay, a 7-Day Customer Service Center and Change Exchange coin counters.
BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX) is a bank holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic.
BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, Contact Info:
Media Relations:
Sharon Lyn Telephone: 954-940-6383
Fax: 954-940-5320
Email: CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com
BankAtlantic Bancorp Contact Info:
Leo Hinkley, Media and Investor Relations Officer
Telephone: (954) 940-5300
Email: InvestorRelations@BankAtlanticBancorp.com
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The matters discussed herein are meant as a public service reminder and a general summary of back-to-school auto safety and driving suggestions, are not exclusive, and should not be considered a complete or all inclusive list of steps, procedures, suggestions or ideas. Actual, additional or alternative safety and driving suggestions could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the statements contained herein, and the Company cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive.
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