Pleasantville PD Launches "School's Open—Drive Carefully" Campaign

With the first day of school looming, the has launched a campaign to promote safe walking and driving while students are going to and from school.

“Very soon, thousands of children will be walking to and from school and school buses—many for the first time,” said Police Chief Richard Love in a statement. “Everyone who drives has a responsibility to be especially careful during this busy time for youngsters.”

The department has worked with AAA to offer community members tips for traveling safe during the school year, as the chief reports "Hundreds of young children are killed each year in collisions with motor vehicles, and thousands more are severely injured."

He added students are typically eager to get to school and see old friends and new teachers when the school year begins, making them less aware of traffic.

Chief Love offers these six pedestrian-safety tips from AAA New York:

• Look all ways before crossing the street.
• Cross only at corners.
• Obey police officers, school crossing guards, members of AAA, school, safety patrols and traffic signals.
• Watch for turning cars
• Be especially alert in bad weather.
• Play away from traffic.