This week, Cumberland County schools are back in session.  Wednesday, August 3rd, is the first day for students. Dismissal is at 10 AM.

Monday, August 8th is the first full day for students.

With school returning, please use caution and be aware of school zones. Here are a few tips to help keep kids safe:

1. Reduce your speed. Be more careful in residential areas where children are present. Respect speed limits in school zones and playground zones. To ensure that you don’t violate the law or strike a child, avoid passing or changing lanes in a school zone. Also, put your distractions aside and give your full attention to the road.

2. Stop for school buses displaying the flashing red lights and the extended stop arm.  Traffic in both directions must stop for school buses. Do not continue on until the flashing lights stop. In every state, it is against the law to pass a school bus when it is stopped to load or unload children.

3. Obey crossing guards. Schools with crossing guard programs typically place them at intersections where children are most at risk. A crossing guard is usually attired in a bright safety vest and carries a STOP sign. The crossing guard is the first person to step into the street, and the last person to step off the street.

4. If you can, reroute your commute to avoid school zones. If you must drive through a school zone, leave a little early and drive slower. Penalties for breaking traffic laws double, and sometimes triple, in school zones and around school buses.

5. Leave extra time to reach your destination. When traveling through school zones, expect to be stopped to let children and other traffic through. A safety officer is normally directing traffic to help it move as smooth as possible.

6. Follow the rules when picking up and dropping off children at school.  When depositing or picking your kids up at school, use the designated drop off and pick up lanes, and drive slowly – that means less than 10 mph. Expect children to dart out between cars and be ready to hit the brake if they do. If you will be more than a moment, then find a legal parking spot to keep the lane clear. You should never park in a fire lane, emergency lane, or space designated for handicapped parking.

If you observe reckless driving or suspect a driver is impaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, and report the incident to police by calling 911.