CHENANGO COUNTY – Any New York State Police vehicle you see this week will likely be sporting a school bus shaped decal on its rear bumper. The sticker, which reads “School’s Open - Drive Carefully,” is a reminder for motorists to exercise caution on the roads as children across Chenango return to school.
The state police are not the only are law enforcement agency to stress back to school safety.
According to Norwich Police Chief Joseph Angelino, the excitement of the new school year can distract children as they are either walking to school or boarding buses, so drivers should stay alert. The American Automobile Association offers a number of safety tips for drivers. Those tips including slowing down near schools and in residential areas; driving with your headlights on so children and other drivers can see you; scanning between parked cars; and being extra cautious in inclement weather. Of course, drivers should always stop for school buses in the process of loading or unloading students.
According to Angelino, drivers should also allow more time for their commute, as they may be delayed by school buses making frequent stops and the increased pedestrian traffic.
“The early morning combination of young children on the streets and motorists hurrying to work has potential for tragedy. Take this into account and leave a few minutes earlier,” the chief said.
Parents should also reinforce safe street crossing practices with their children, according to Angelino. In conjunction with AAA, the Norwich PD offered the following basic street crossing tips:
• Look in all directions before crossing a street
• Cross only at intersections
• Be especially watchful for turning cars from an adjacent street
• Obey traffic signals, sign and school crossing guards

Trooper Jamie Teft of the New York State Police affixes a ‘School’s Open’ bumper sticker to his car with the help of his daughters Kelcie and Rees outside the Norwich barracks in anticipation of the first day of school.