Summer vacation is winding down, and parents are getting their kids ready to head back to school. Many children will be walking or riding the bus to and from school and afterschool activities, so it’s a good time to remind ourselves of laws designed to keep our children safe. Here are some tips to keep motorists and kids safe:

• Always be prepared to stop for school buses. In addition to before and after school, buses take children on field trips throughout the day. Remember that you must stop no matter what side of the street you are on, even on a divided highway.
• Expect more traffic. With school buses and more cars out on the road, remember to factor in a few more minutes for your commute.
• Keep your attention on the road for both traffic and pedestrians. Never text while driving and use hands-free devices for making or receiving calls on your cell phone. Better yet, pull over and stop if you really need to talk.
• Slow down. Car accidents not only cause damage to vehicles, they also threaten the safety of you, your neighbors and our children. Taking a little extra time to get to your destination is ultimately the better option.

For more tips on keeping children safe, please visit the National Safety Council’s website.

The new school year brings a lot of hope and opportunity for our children. This year, I helped secure a historic increase in state aid for our schools and completely repealed the Gap Elimination Adjustment so schools can provide a quality education without increasing the burden on taxpayers. Let’s work together to ensure all our children arrive at school safely, ready to learn. As always, I’m here to answer questions or discuss any concerns you have about these or any other community issues. Always feel free to contact me at 315-452-1115 or StirpeA@nyassembly.gov.