AAA, Irvington PD Launch 'School's Open — Drive Carefully'

IRVINGTON, NY — School is starting next week, and AAA Northeast launched its 74th annual "School's Open — Drive Carefully" campaign at the Irvington Police Department. The program alerts drivers to be careful behind the wheel as children end their summer vacations and return to school, according to organizers.

Irvington Police Chief Michael Cerone and Officer Matt Eckert joined local school children to help kick off the program Monday.

Drivers are especially cautioned to keep their speed at or below posted limits in school areas and be prepared to stop — on both sides of the street — for school buses with flashing red lights, as required by New York State law.

Donna Galasso, assistant director of AAA's Traffic Safety unit, said the nonprofit service organization's "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 — Drive Carefully' campaign," she said.

"We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Chief Cerone, Officer Eckert and the Irvington Police Department in helping to increase safety for all students," Galasso said.

Posters, bumper stickers and other educational materials are distributed through the program, which was begun in 1945.

Photo caption: Chief Michael Cerone (left), Donna Galasso, AAA’s assistant director of Traffic Safety, and Police Officer Matt Eckert launched AAA’s 74th annual “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign at the Irvington Police Department. Also participating in the ceremony were (front left to right) Kelly and Dylan Johnson and Alexis Nyemchek and (back left to right) Bianca and Savannah Nyemchek.

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.