Driver patience and awareness helps ensure safe start to school year

Published 8:15 am Wednesday, August 3, 2016

By Staff Reports

With the start of every new school year, the traffic woes are to be expected as roadways become more heavily congested in the mornings and afternoons.

The first few weeks of school require patience for not only parents of school-aged children but for anyone traveling on local roadways.

Drivers should be mindful school zones and the speed limits and remember to watch for students gathering near bus stops. Parents should pay attention to school traffic routes. The Milledgeville Police Department has issued a back to school traffic plan to help ensure a smooth traffic flow. Remember that law enforcement officers will be on hand in heavy traffic areas during peak hours — they are there to help and assist in handling the flow of busy traffic — so it’s important to heed their directions. Don’t go it alone — following traffic directions helps ensure safety and allows everyone to have a smoother driving experience.

Watch for school busses and obey traffic laws around them. Remember to stop — never pass — school busses when they are stopped to load or unload children. Parents of bus riders should also pay close attention to bus route changes to help ensure their children make it to and from school without confusion.

Realize that some areas of town will be more congested this time of year, Blandy Road for example.

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Consider also that there are first-time school year drivers who have to adjust as well, and students who may be driving to school on their own for the first time.

In these opening weeks of the new school year, drivers must be mindful to exercise patience as many residents get back into the school year routine and traffic is more heavily congested, particularly in the mornings and afternoons.

Expect some delays and plan accordingly. Most importantly, however, realize that this hectic period won’t last for very long. Exercise patience and cooperation in an effort to ensure a safe start to the school year for everyone.