Shortly, school will be starting throughout Western Pennsylvania. The motoring public is reminded of the increased traffic we will experience on the highways in the morning and in the afternoon. School buses, teachers, school employees and students in personal cars will take to the roads, creating more traffic, and we should all expect it to take a few minutes longer to get where we are going once school starts. Please leave early and take your time while driving.
To the parents of students who drive to school: Please ensure your students are familiar with their routes to school. Show them where there may be traffic delays. Teach them the importance of driving within the speed limit and obeying all the rules of the road. Please make sure young drivers are not too tired to safely drive (some kids have not gotten up early for a couple months!). Please demand that students keep music turned down, no phone usage/texting while driving and passengers do not engage in horseplay.
Everyone is reminded to properly wear seatbelts and to make sure their vehicles are safe and roadworthy. Always watch for school buses and stop when school bus lights are activated.
The start of school is an exciting time for students and parents alike. Please always drive with caution. We do not want the new school year to be marred by car crashes.
Best wishes to our students and teachers for a successful and enjoyable school year.
Capt. Steve J. Ignatz
Butler
The writer is commanding officer of Troop D, Pennsylvania State Police.