School officials warn drivers to be cautious as school starts

Drivers urged to follow school bus laws and exercise caution around increased pedestrian traffic

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — With many students heading back to school, officials are urging drivers to be vigilant and cautious on the roads due to increased traffic. The return to class brings more activity, with numerous students either boarding buses, walking, or being carpooled.

“We want to get everybody to our schools safely and everybody home safely” “So be patient with us as we get back to that process of dropping students off and picking them up,” said Woodford County Public Schools Superintendent, Danny Adkins.

School districts are reminding the public of several key safety practices. Buses are a major mode of transportation, and officials stress the importance of patience and adherence to traffic laws, particularly the need to stop when school bus stop signs are active.

“Please be mindful of our busses as they stop to pick up children the red flashing stop light will come out, be mindful that you have to stop for that,” said Adkins.

For students who walk to school, drivers are advised to be extra careful as more pedestrians, including students and crossing guards, will be present in the streets.

“When we get schools back I’d like to remind everyone, everyone in the community, to please be mindful of our crosswalks, we have a lot of students in Woodford County that walk to school and use those crosswalks,” said Adkins.

In addition, parents dropping off and picking up their children are also asked to drive carefully in and around school zones to ensure the safety of all students.

With the new school year underway, officials emphasize that heightened awareness and adherence to safety protocols are crucial for protecting students during busy travel hours of the day.