AAA's ‘School’s Open–Drive Carefully’ Campaign Begins

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The New York State Police will once again participate in AAA’s annual “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign. Each year the campaign works to help preserve the safety of children traveling to and from school. Superintendent George P. Beach II said, "With traffic safety a top priority for our agency, we will once again ramp up enforcement and raise driver awareness as school buses return to our roads and our children walk our sidewalks.”

“We ask that parents, friends and neighbors spread the word and work with law enforcement year round. Please pay attention behind the wheel to make sure our kids stay safe,” he said. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

AAA’s yearly “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign alerts motorists to the special risks to school-age children from motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for children from 5 to 14 years old.

The campaign begins Aug. 30 and runs through Oct. 13.

Motorists will receive an additional reminder each time they see one of the “School’s Open” bumper stickers on State Police vehicles, as well as other official vehicles, school buses and passenger cars.

State Police remind drivers to show extra caution as schools reopen, since vacation-minded children are apt to be less careful.

Motorists should be particularly alert for children darting out between parked cars on busy streets.

Patch file photo.