Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With summer coming to a close in Western New York, students and staff across the region will be returning to school for classes this week, as the new academic year officially kicks off. A number of districts will welcome students back to the classroom on Tuesday, while others will resume classwork on Wednesday or Thursday.
With school buses back on the roads and others commuting to-and-from schools in the coming weeks, commuters across the region are advised to give themselves extra time, and be prepared for additional traffic.
"Plan ahead, especially the first week of school. Give yourself an extra 5-to-10 minutes, especially with buses and more traffic on the roads in the mornings, and even in the afternoons," said Nick Filipowski from the Williamsville Central School District at an event hosted by AAA of Western and Central New York last week. "We're a society that is in 'go' mode. We want to get there now, we want everything now, but it's really about taking time on the road. And we want our students and staff to arrive safely every single day."
Mark Schroeder, Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee in New York State and Commissioner of the State Department of Motor Vehicles, says drivers not only should not be in a rush to get to their destinations with school back in session, but they also need to be mindful of the speed and avoid distractions all the time.
"Rushing to get to your destination is not worth risking your life or the life of a child just trying to get to school. The future of our children is far more important than the text or phone call you want to make during your commute. It can wait. Put down the phone, and stay alert to what's around you," said Schroeder this past week.
One of the prevalent problems remaining with driving safety during the school year is drivers still blatantly and illegally passing stopped school buses that have their stop arms extended and red lights flashing.
"I'll tell you right now, every operator on the road knows that a signal or an intersection, the red light means stop. This bus behind me, the red light means stop. That means kids are boarding or they're exiting that bus. There is absolutely no excuse for someone to operate a vehicle and pass that school bus while those kids are exiting or entering that bus. Not only on the left, but unfortunately, on the shoulder of the road right where the door is on that bus," said Trooper James O'Callaghan with New York State Police.
O'Callaghan points to an alarming stat he's seen gathered by State Police last year, noting a 3% increase of tickets issued for passing a school bus.
"3% doesn't sound like a lot, it might be minute in your head, 'Ah, that's just 3%.' But that's 3% of people that could have been killed, that could have been injured, that may not have gone home to their families at the end of the day. It's unacceptable, really, to be honest with you, a 3% increase on something this serious," O'Callaghan said.
Last year, the City of Buffalo implemented school bus arm cameras on buses across the district, which monitored drivers and caught them when in violation of passing a school bus with its stop arms extended and red lights flashing. This year, the city will continue to utilize the bus arm camera system.
"As a reminder, drivers must stop for a school bus whenever the red lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended, regardless of the direction you're approaching from, unless the road is divided by physical barrier. All of these precautions save lives," said Buffalo Police Lt. Jenny Velez. "Together, we can ensure everyone's safety, and we look forward to a safe and great start to the school year."
Drivers are asked to be mindful of their speed, and avoid distractions as school returns to session, especially with buses back on the road, and students also going to-and-from school on foot.
Erie County Sheriff's Lt. Jeremy Lehning warns drivers to avoid distracted driving with school back in session, especially when it comes to eating, drinking, or anything else that can take attention away from the roadway like using a cellphone.
"According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023, more than 3,000 people nationwide were killed in distracted driving accidents. Studies show that sending or reading a text message takes your attention away from the roadway for approximately 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. More buses on the roadways next week will potentially further decrease your reaction time," Lehning noted.
There are also students that will be returning to school on foot, especially those who live near their school. Amherst Police Cpt. Christopher Meyer advises kids to always stay on the sidewalks whenever possible.
"Some of our neighborhoods in Amherst don't have sidewalks, and in that case, we ask them to walk facing traffic, so they're walking towards the vehicle that are coming at them on the roadway. Always use crosswalks, and when there's not crosswalks, always cross at the intersections," said Meyer. "Some of our intersections in the Town of Amherst are staffed by crossing guards. If you're coming to one of those intersections, we ask the students to please wait and follow the instructions of those crossing guards. They'll help you get across the road safely. If you are not at an intersection with a crossing guard, we would ask you to follow the crossing signal, if there is one. And if not, obviously, wait until traffic is clear, look both ways, and even when following a signal, once you get the green signal and it says go, double check and take a second look and make sure there's no cars coming."
Meyer also asks drivers to yield for pedestrians, especially at intersections and crosswalks.
"There's going to be increased foot traffic, especially next week with the beginning of school. When you're driving next week, starting on Tuesday, we all know in this area there's going to be a lot more traffic on the roadway that first week. Allow yourself extra time, plan ahead. There's going to be delays in-and-around our school areas. Lots of people will be working out their new route to school," Meyer added.
O'Callaghan further stresses parents to also be vigilant by talking with their kids about safety measures on the roadways with school back in session.
"Kids are important. Kids are the future. And we have to keep them as safe as possible, they're precious," O'Callaghan said. "As school starts, we in law enforcement will do the best we can. But you as a parent, have to talk to your kid about the safety of getting off the bus. Make sure the bus driver waves you across before you just walk across. Don't be on your phone, don't have your Airpods, noise canceling [headphones] and all that. Pay attention to your surroundings, teach your kids this at a young age. If you're walking to school, cross at the crosswalks. If you're on an e-scooter, an e-bike or some sort of e-assisted vehicle, make sure you're wearing your helmet, make sure you're diligent. That's the stuff that's going to keep you safe."
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