Major Joseph W. Dodd, Troop T Commander urges everyone to support the AAA’s annual “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign to help preserve the safety of children traveling to and from school.
AAA’s yearly “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign alerts motorists to the special risks to school-age children from motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for children from five to fourteen years old. The campaign begins August 30, 2017and runs through October 13.
Motorists will receive an additional reminder each time they see one of the “School’s Open” bumper stickers on State Police vehicles, as well as other official vehicles, school buses and passenger cars.
Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “With traffic safety a top priority for our agency, we will once again ramp up enforcement and raise driver awareness as school buses return to our roads and our children walk our sidewalks. We ask that parents, friends and neighbors spread the word and work with law enforcement year round. Please pay attention behind the wheel to make sure our kids stay safe.”
Major Joseph W. Dodd said, “This is an ideal time for all of us to remember the importance of devoting our full attention to driving, and commit to eliminating distractions such as cell phones and electronics in our vehicles, in an effort to enhance the safety of school children.” in his endorsement of the annual safety campaign.
Major Dodd also emphasized the need to show extra caution when driving as schools reopen, since it is then that vacation-minded children are apt to be less careful. Motorists should be particularly alert for children darting out between parked cars on busy streets.