Schools in our area are starting to open for the beginning of the new school year. With that said, we want to remind you to please be watchful around schools. Slow down and pay attention when kids are present – especially before and after school!

Here are some safety measures to follow from the National Safety Council:

• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
• If the yellow or red lights on a school bus are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop

• In a school zone when road sign flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
• Don’t block a crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic

• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
• Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars

Drivers on our roadways need to remember that they share the roads with children who are taking the bus, walking, or biking to school.  We all need to be watchful as these young “commuters” may not be easy to see and may be unpredictable.