Teche Area motorists must be more aware when they are on the streets now that students are back in class at their respective schools.

Be alert and watch out for our most precious resource, the boys and girls who are the future of our communities. The best advice is to slow down, even before entering a marked school zone, according to the National Safety Council.

Have a foot near the brake and eyes scanning the school zone and adhere to the speed limit. When one motorist slows down, others instinctively do the same.

Make a full stop at stop signs and traffic signals when the light is red. Be sure the road is clear of students before entering a crosswalk.

Be especially vigilant around school buses and students exiting or entering vehicles.

And always obey a crossing walk officer or crossing walk guard.

According to research by the NSC, most of the children who lose their lives in school bus-related accidents are 4 to 7 years old and they are on foot. Here are precautions to take to prevent tragedies:

• Keep a close eye on students as they’re getting on and off the school bus — stragglers might run. The most dangerous part of their trip is getting on and off the bus.

• Be alert (children are unpredictable) and slow down near a school bus. It’s careless to do otherwise.

• Do not pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload students. Obey the stop signs that extend from the school buses loading and unloading students.

Children should be advised to be safe, as well. Parents and guardians should tell them:

• Wait away from the roadway and get on the school bus only when it comes to a complete stop.

• When crossing in front of the bus, walk at least 10 steps away from the school bus so the driver can see them.

• Never walk behind the bus. Drivers might lose sight of children in their blind spots.

There is more congestion on the road now before 8 a.m. and after 2 p.m. Motorists must be on guard.

Be safe and for heaven’s sake use common sense.

Let’s get through the school year without a single vehicle-pedestrian accident around any of our area schools.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR