When you drive through a school zone, you're legally required to slow down during certain times of the day.

But what about the other things that keep you from being a safe driver?

Safe Kids Wake County looked at drivers going through the morning and afternoon school zones at West Cary Middle School.

In a report released Wednesday, the group said 22 percent of the drivers were distracted somehow, despite the presence of children.

"They were either eating or texting or talking on the cell phone, smoking, grooming -- even reading behind the wheel," said Dr. Sylvia Scholl, Safe Kids Wake County Coalition Coordinator.

That local number is higher than the 16 percent from Safe Kids USA's national study, but experts say you shouldn't read into that too much, because cell phone, school zone and driving laws vary from state to state.

The WakeMed-affiliated group says it's an important issue, since nationwide, 500 kids a year are killed as pedestrians.

There's nothing illegal about any of it, for now, but Safe Kids wants people to pay more attention to what they're doing.

At the end of 2009, it will be illegal to use your cell for anything but phone calls.

Cary Police say they agree people should be more careful, even if they can't comment on the study itself.

"Driving within itself is a multi-task function," said Lt. Randall Rhyne. "When you think about it, people have to make sure that they are watching their speed, they're watching the other drivers around them, their lane integrity. So any time you put anything else in there ... you can have a recipe for disaster."

Scholl said distracted drivers aren't very different from drunk drivers.

"They are not aware of what is going on around them and their reaction times are slow," she said.

Scholl says it's not just drivers who should pay better attention; they tell kids to watch out, as well.

"One of the rules they learn is to look the driver in the eye before they cross the street," said Scholl.

West Cary Middle administrators said they hadn't seen the study, so they weren't prepared to comment.

Here are some safety tips from Safe Kids USA:

PREVENTING INJURIES TO CHILD PEDESTRIANS

Parents are the most important models of proper pedestrian behavior for children.

•Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Try to
make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Don.t assume that
because you can see the driver, the driver can see you. Look left, right and left again
when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don.t run, across the street.
•Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the
left as possible.
•Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
Parents and kids should hold hands in parking lots.

Set pedestrian safety rules for your children.

•Never allow children under age 10 to cross streets alone. Adult supervision is essential
until you are sure a child has good traffic skills and judgment.
•Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
•Make sure children know to cross 10 feet in front of a school bus, never behind, and to
wait for adults on the same side of the street as the school bus loading or unloading
zone.
•Teach your child never to run out into a street for a ball, a pet or any other reason.

Help create an environment that.s safe for pedestrians.

•Make sure your child plays in safe places away from motor vehicles, such as yards,
parks and playgrounds . never in the street. Fence off play areas from driveways and
streets.
•Buy clothing and accessories incorporating retroreflective materials for your family to
wear at dawn and dusk, in the evening and during other low-light situations, such as
rainy or foggy weather.
•Check frequently for children when backing out of a driveway or a parking space.