Police Kick Off 'School's Open, Drive Carefully' Campaign

RIVERHEAD, NY — As kids headed back to classes Wednesday, Riverhead Police took part in the “School’s Open - Drive Carefully” campaign.

AAA Northeast launched its 73rd annual “School’s Open - Drive Carefully” program recently at the Riverhead Police Department with Chief David Hegermiller and Sergeant Danielle Willsey; local students also help AAA kick off the program, a release said.

The program remind drivers to be extra careful behind the wheel as children end their summer vacations and return to school. Drivers should be particularly cautious in school areas, keeping their speeds at or below posted limits and being prepared to stop on both sides of the street for school buses with flashing red lights, as required by New York State law, AAA said.

The annual “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign is conducted with local government and police agencies.

“The help we get from police departments in our territory adds to the effectiveness of our ‘School’s Open’ campaign," Donna Galasso, assistant director of AAA’s traffic safety unit, said. “We appreciate the efforts of Chief Hegermiller, Sergeant Willsey and the entire Riverhead Police Department, which helps to increase safety for all students."

As part of the program, which began in 1945 with an eye toward preventing injury and death among elementary school children, thousands of posters, bumper stickers and other educational materials are distributed through the program.

Patch photo courtesy Riverhead Police Department.