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As summer draws to a close, back-to-school season is in full effect. Safety should be a priority for every family as children return to the classrooms! Check out these simple driving safety tips before hitting the road tomorrow!

All Motorists:

• Slow Down

• Be especially careful when driving on neighborhood streets and around school zones, always expect the unexpected.

• Be alert for children walking to and from school as you back out of your driveway. Young bicyclists have a tendency to dart out of driveways without looking for traffic.

• Stop your car when you see flashing lights and a stop sign on a school bus. These indicate the bus is stopped and students are getting on or off. Do not start driving until the red lights stop flashing and the stop sign is retracted. Be aware that a child may dash across the street.

Drivers (if you drive your child to school):

• Allow yourself enough time to get to school and then to work. Leave earlier to avoid the potential “to speed” getting to your destination on time.

• Make sure that your child is in their safety seat or restrained properly when you are taking them to school. By law, every person in the vehicle must buckle up.

• Pay close attention at crosswalks. Take an extra look to be sure that no students are crossing.

• Obey all signs, safety patrol and officers in your school zone. They are there to make the drop-offs and pick-ups run smoothly.

• Drop children off as close to the school as possible. If possible, avoid the need for children to cross the street.

• Follow all posted speed limit signs.