With school starting up this week, there are several safety reminders to be aware of.

School buses will be out transporting children to and from school. Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse says when a bus has its red lights flashing and the stop arm is extended, he stresses to motorists to come to a complete stop. Motorists must wait until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted before they can proceed. Clouse notes that bus drivers, as well as the public, can write down information of those vehicles that go around a stopped bus.

“We investigate it. It’s a very hefty citation if you unlawfully pass a stopped school bus. It can also affect your driver’s license (which) can be suspended. Those are harsh penalities but you have to look at why we’re doing that, and it’s for the safety of the children.”

Clouse also gives advance notice about the temporary four-way stop at the intersection of Highway 4 and Madison Street. He says a temporary stop sign will be posted at that intersection for an hour in the morning when school gets started and an hour in the afternoon when school dismisses. It allows students to cross the busy intersection safely.

Finally, Clouse suggests for new students and students transitioning to a new building that parents or guardians walk those routes with their children. Clouse adds that this will help youth know the safe routes from home to school and back again. To hear more from Clouse on back to school safety, listen to tomorrow’s Community State Bank in Paton Let’s Talk Greene County program.