The start of a new school year means the return of buses and students to the roadway. Police would like to remind all motorists and pedestrians to use extra caution when traveling. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

CHENANGO COUNTY - As teachers welcome students, police are reminding drivers to use extra caution as school begins.

City of Norwich Deputy Chief of Police Scott A. Burlison advised, “Side with caution, what’s a couple seconds when we’re talking child safety.”

Specifically in Norwich he said, “One area of additional caution is that four-way stop at Hale Street and Midland Drive.”

“Motorists and walkers need to give themselves some extra time to accommodate for this new traffic pattern or find an alternative route because there is more than one way to get into the school, do not pass school buses when the stop sign is out,” Burlison said.

“No speeding in school zones,” Burlison warned. “Those are hefty fines and hefty points. Speeding in a school zone is going to be a lot more than your normal speeding ticket, and the same with passing a school bus. A lot of them have a minimal amount of points and a minimal amount of fines that goes with it and there’s no leeway to it.”

Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting also reminded drivers to expect frequent school bus stops. The office advised slowing when yellow lights flash, and come to a full stop when red lights are flashing and the stop arm is out.

On two-lane and undivided multi-lane roads, traffic in both directions must stop; on divided highways, only traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop, the sheriff’s office said.

Police also urged motorists to watch for children at bus stops and those crossing in front of buses, remain distraction-free, and remember that school buses must stop at railroad crossings.

Students were advised to look left, right and left again before crossing. Wait well back from the curb for the bus and make eye contact with the driver. Never return for dropped items or go under the bus.

“School-zone speed limits are enforced, it’s the law,” the sheriff’s office stated.

Burlison added that “there’s going to be new drivers out there that haven’t never experienced a stopped school bus.”

He said motorists “should pay attention. You should side with caution. You don’t want to pass the stopped school bus.”

“There is a child on that bus and even when the lights are still technically going off, I would wait until [the stop signs] are completely in and the lights are off. Because, if the bus driver has to stop and reactivates those lights and you’re already driving on by, technically you’re driving by a stopped school bus,” Burlison said.

He said. “Give yourself enough time. The day is going to start getting darker earlier and not every child can be wearing high colored clothing. “

“Some younger students who are new to walking can be confused at the crosswalks,” said Burlison, “They might hesitate. So as a motorist just take that extra time and just slow down and take the extra second to look. Make sure to look, make eye contact with the pedestrian.”