School’s open; drive very carefully

Police offer tips to motorists

By John Tredrea
   Today is the first day of school in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.
   Due to cutbacks in school busing, more children are expected to be walking to school than before.
   Police have asked motorists to be careful.
   "Drivers need to exercise caution around school zones, crosswalks, bus stops and wherever children may be playing outside," said Hopewell Township Lt. Lance Maloney.
   Here are some back-to-school driving tips:
   — Be familiar with school zones. Get in the habit of noticing where school zones and crosswalks are on routes you normally take.
   — Always stop for school buses with flashing red lights. Drivers approaching the bus must come to a full stop for the period during which the red lights are on.
   — Obey crossing guards.
   — Anticipate the worst. Young children have difficulty judging the speed and distance away of oncoming cars. Always anticipate the chance that a small child may run in front of you. Slow down and be prepared to brake.
   — Be especially careful in areas with parked vehicles on the side of the road. Children waiting to cross may be especially difficult to see behind parked sport-utility vehicles.
   — Never use hand-held cell phones while driving, and never use hands-free cell phones while driving in school zones or areas with children.
   — Avoid putting your car in reverse. It’s more difficult to see short children and attend to your car’s blind spots while reversing.
   — Don’t speed. Remember that the speed limit in most school is 25 mph. Bad weather, or areas with limited visibility, will require a lower speed. Your visibility to pedestrians, your ability to see them and your stopping distance all may be greatly impaired by weather or road conditions, so use common sense and slow down.