CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – School bells will be ringing this upcoming week as many students head back to class, and this means there will be students walking, riding bikes, and taking buses.
Safety officials say as we head into the school year, you can expect to see a lot more traffic on the roads. So not only will this call for some patience, but you may also want to be aware of school zone and bus safety tips.
- Look out for crossing guards
- Never try to pass vehicles in school zones
- Stop for school buses for pick up /drop off
- Avoid distractions while driving
22News spoke with Lt. Tony Spear of the West Springfield Fire Department about the transition drives face from their summer break traffic to school season traffic.
“As we get into September people are going to be used to their summer commute, used to the time they have planned for the summer commute and forget that buses are back on the roads and pedestrians out on the road so it’s important to plan accordingly,” Lt. Spear advised.
He explained, “A lot of times if you have a first defense your fine could be anywhere from $100 depending on the violation up to $250 for first violation if you say pass a school bus.”
Police officers will be out monitoring the school zones to make sure that drivers are safe and in compliance with the law, so to avoid any issues and keep students safe, you may want to become more familiar with the rules of the road.
Kiara Smith is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since March 2023. Follow Kiara on X @KiaraBSmith1 and view her bio to see more of her work.
