The seasonal surge of students returning to school has the South Dakota AAA urging drivers to slow down and stay alert around school zones.

Pedestrian accidents are the second leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 5 to 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During a national survey, 45 percent of vehicles observed in school zones and residential neighborhoods did not come to a complete stop at stop signs.

Additionally, nearly a third of the motorists violated stop signs when a child pedestrian was present, and two-thirds exceeded the posted speed limit during the 30 minutes before and after school.

Over the next two weeks, 139,000 children will be heading back to school throughout the state. AAA has launched its "School's Open - Drive Carefully" campaign to encourage safe driving behavior, reminding drivers to:

* Slow down in and near school and residential areas, and to be sure to come to a complete stop at all intersections.

* Look for crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds which indicate that children may be in the area.

* Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs of children and be ready to stop if need be. Expect the unexpected.

* Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students.

* Leave early to avoid having to rush.

* Drive with your headlights on - even during the day - so children and other drivers can see you.