As the school year begins on Thursday, there will be an increased amount of traffic and kids in Jefferson going to and coming home from school.

Police Chief Mark Clouse has some safety reminders for motorists, as well as parents and children, as we all get back into the school routine. He reminds motorists to be extra cautious right before the school day begins and ends, and to watch out for kids as they are walking to and from school because they can dart in and out of traffic. Clouse also reminds everyone that it’s a state law that motorists cannot pass school buses when the red lights are flashing and the stop arms are extended.

“For obvious reasons. You could have a child coming from across the street to get to the bus. You could have a child getting off the bus and walking out in front of the bus. And that’s why these laws are in effect to make sure that no one gets injured.”

Bus drivers can report vehicles that pass them illegally. Clouse points out one area for parents to help their kids who may walk to school on a daily basis.

“I always like to tell parents it’s a good thing to get your child out before school starts and walk that route with your child several times before they’re going to be walking it alone. And of course when you’re doing that you want to be expressing, ‘Look for traffic here. Look both ways.’ All of those things that we need to instill in our young people to get them safely by foot to school.”

Clouse adds that there will be the addition of a temporary stop sign at the intersection of Highway 4, or Elm Street, and Madison Street during the school year.

To hear more from Clouse, listen to Wednesday’s Community State Bank in Paton Let’s Talk Greene County Program.