With the start of school and the final hooray of the summer approaching this Labor Day weekend, we urge drivers to use extra caution when out on city and state highways.

Children, in their excitement to see their friends and anxious to get to class, will forget about basic safety rules when crossing the street or moving around the school yard. It’s up to drivers to drive defensively and cautiously to ensure the safety of the little tykes.

Drivers are required by law to obey the bus’s flashing red lights and stop arm when in use. This means little ones are in traffic danger zones surrounding a bus and motorists should be careful when approaching.

Bus drivers will take down a violator’s license plate number and the vehicle’s owner will be fined for putting children in danger.

It’s also a heavy traffic weekend on county and state highways as residents take advantage of the last few official days of summer to travel. Numerous campers and boats, not to mention families excited to arrive at their destination, can make the roadways hazardous.

Leave a littler earlier &045; whether on your way to work or heading out to visit family &045; obey traffic laws and be patient when on city or state highways, especially during this holiday weekend and as excited children head back to school.