Police Urge Drivers to Take Extra Care on Roads as Schools Open

As schools open today, State Police are asking drivers to use caution on the roads and suggesting that parents go over some basic safety tips with their children.

"Very soon, thousands of children will be walking to and from school and school buses - many for the first time," said State Police Major Michael Kopy. "Everyone who drives has a responsibility to be especially careful during this busy time for youngsters."  

Kopy said hundreds of children are killed each year in collisions, and thousands more are severely injured. He noted that children tend to be at greater risk during the back-to-school period because they are thinking more about seeing old friends and new teachers than watching for cars and trucks. Others are going to school for the first time.  

To help protect children, Kopy offered these six pedestrian-safety tips from AAA New York, the local AAA affiliate:  

· 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.  

AAA New York provides automotive, travel and financial services to more than 1.5 million members in New York City, and in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Herkimer and parts of Lewis, Madison and Oneida counties.