AAA Western and Central New York, along with law enforcement and community partners, has kicked off its annual “School’s Open, Drive Carefully” campaign as back-to-school season gets underway. With school buses headed back on the roads, commuters should give themselves extra time in coming weeks and be prepared for bus traffic. Drivers should also be patient with less experienced student drivers returning to high school and college.

AAA's School's Open, Drive Carefully campaign was launched 80 years ago, in 1946, to help reduce school-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Eight decades later, that mission remains as important as ever.

“With constant distractions behind the wheel and today’s drivers always in a rush, it’s more imperative than ever to get the safety message out as summer winds down and a new school year awaits,” said AAA Western and Central New York President and CEO Marke Dickinson. “We applaud and thank our safety partners for joining us here today.”

Trooper James O’Callaghan, Public Information Officer with the New York State Police, shared a disturbing increase in violations. “Everyone knows how the school bus works. When the lights turn red, you have to stop,” he said. “Unfortunately, over the past two years, the New York State Police have seen a 25 percent increase in tickets issued for passing a school bus, which is now eight points and a $500 to $1,000 fine.”

Chief Kenneth Agee Jr. with the Buffalo Police Department explained that fines differ with automated bus cameras. “All the school buses in the City of Buffalo are equipped with automated cameras that automatically activate when the bus arm is extended, and they automatically detect drivers who pass by stopped school buses. That fine is $250.”

Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns addressed newly licensed teen drivers. “For a young driver, getting a license is a new frontier. It means freedom, independence, and a tremendous amount of responsibility. The most important rule is simple: slow down. But safe driving means more than watching your speed. Put the phone down, eliminate distractions, and never get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One bad decision can change a life forever. I also encourage parents and teens to make a commitment together by signing our Safe Driving Pledge, a promise to stay focused, drive responsibly, and make it home safely every time.”

“Everyone has a smartphone and in-vehicle entertainment systems are extremely prevalent,” said Lt. Jeremy Lehning with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. “Studies show that reading or sending a text message takes your attention away from the roadway for five seconds. With more students walking to school next week, that’s five seconds you don’t have to react if a child were to dart out into the roadway.”

Amherst Police Captain Gregg Huller warned of distracted walking, “I see it with kids and adults now, they’re walking with their head down, phone out, they’re looking at their phone and not looking up at traffic, and they have ear buds in. Stay off the phone and get there safely.”

Spokespeople also noted that back to school season is the perfect time to educate students on how to handle an emergency. "Our goal isn't just to respond when something goes wrong," said Breona McCarter of AMR WNY, “if we can help a family recognize a risk, prevent an injury or know what to do in those first few minutes of an emergency, that's valuable too. Emergency preparedness for a child can be very basic: knowing where they are, knowing who to call and understanding that if something serious happens, they should get an adult and call 911.”

Nicholas Filipowski, Executive Director of Communications at the Williamsville Central School District, which provided a bus for the press conference, says parents should build a relationship with bus drivers who safely transport students. “We want to make sure our students, our teachers, our staff, our parents and guardians get to and from school safely on a daily basis. And our bus drivers are often the first interaction our students have with the district – a smile, a high five, a fist bump, please get to know your school bus driver,” he said.

As school resumes, AAA reminds drivers to learn their ABCs of safety:

• A – Avoid distractions
• B – Brake for school buses
• C – Check for pedestrians

For more information on traffic safety, visit www.AAA.com/SafetyPatrol.