Back to School will be very different around Central New York this year … and maybe more dangerous for children going to and from their schools. Triple-A of Western and Central New York joined State Police in calling on drivers to remember, hybrid and at-home learning changes normal school travel.
“More children will be home throughout the day and that means motorists must be vigilant at all hours,” says Triple-A Regional President Tony Spada.
He adds drivers can’t drop their guard when it’s not normal school bus hours.
“Look for children who might be playing near or even in the street during periods they are traditionally at school. Children who have been on vacation for a long period are apt to be less careful.”
Spada helped kick off the “School’s Open-Drive Carefully” campaign, noting that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children from five to fourteen years of age.
State Police are echoing the call for increased attention on safety. State Trooper James O’Callaghan says there will be increased patrolling and other means of watching drivers’ behavior.
“Once the beginning of school starts, that’s when the school speed zones take effect, that’s when you’ll see the lights blinking. This is either a speed camera area or this is a school zone, which is 25-35 depending on the area you live. If those lights are flashing, you have to assume that everything is operational.”
School-zone cameras can catch speeders, as well as capture drivers passing stopped buses. O’Callaghan adds, during the school campaign police will be looking for other dangerous behavior.
“Troopers are going to be out there looking at distracted driving and people passing school busses. These are the two major incidences or causes of children getting struck and killed. Not only do we have cars passing busses on the left, but we also have cars passing busses on the right. If you’re a parent and there is a vehicle that continually passes or speeds by the bus, get as much information about that vehicle as you can.”
One last concern is teen drivers. Troopers say because they’re not in school as much, they will be on the roadways more. Parents are asked to monitor their teenagers’ driving, and put the phone down themselves to set a good example.
The staggered start of school and different traffic patterns – just the latest things disrupted by the COVID pandemic.
