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Back-to-school means back to safety basics

It’s that time of year again. Children of all ages will be making their way to and from school every day. Some of them are walking, some of the older ones might be driving, and many are taking the bus.

Do your part to keep them safe. Parents should of course remind their kids to behave safely, whether it be at the bus stop, on the bus or in school; and certainly if they are driving their own cars.

But we ALL must slow down and pay a little more attention while driving. If you see a school bus, give it space and observe all the signs and lights. Stop your car, and do not move again until the red lights stop flashing, the stop sign arm is retracted and the bus itself has started moving. For goodness sake do not get impatient and pass a stopped school bus.

Obey the school zone speed limits and watch out for kids on the sidewalks (if there are any) who may be more interested in their smartphones or rough-housing with each other than in paying attention to safety.

Kids move quickly. They jostle each other around. They dribble basketballs that might roll into the street. Sometimes they just have their minds on a million other things.

We as drivers have to watch out for them. Yes, it’s up to the grownups to follow all the rules (and set a good example).

Be careful out there. Stay alert. It is back-to-school season for ALL of us.

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