Classes are beginning in area schools, and since most schools are holding in-classroom education after more than a year of virtual learning because of COVID-19, motorists will need to be attentive to pedestrians and the return of school buses.

In some areas, they have not seen a school bus in their local travels in close to a year and a half, so motorists will have to get back into the mental awareness that they are back and that they are carrying precious cargo.

This might be a good time to review some basic tips for motorists and students and their parents.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, school bus safety is a high priority.

Students, parents, teachers, administrators, transportation personnel and the motoring public all play important roles in keeping our children safe while on or around a school bus.

Here are some important reminders for motorists:

• Stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

• Stop when you are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.

• When traveling alongside a school bus, stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.

• If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, you may proceed without stopping if you are in the opposing lanes.

• Motorists are advised not to proceed until all children have reached a place of safety.

If convicted of violating the state school bus law, a motorist can be fined $250, receive five points on his or her driving record and be slapped with a 60-day license suspension.

Here is guidance for students, which should be reinforced by their parents or guardians.

• Get to the school bus stop at least five minutes early, so you won’t have to run across the road to catch the bus.

• When waiting, stay away from traffic.

• Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.

• Don’t push when getting on or off the bus.

• Always walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so that the school bus driver can see you.

• Be aware - cross with care. Wait until all traffic has stopped before stepping onto the road. Way too many students have been hurt or killed by motorists who ignore a stopped school bus with its flashing lights and arm extended. Don’t assume a motorist will stop.

• When the school bus is moving, always stay in your seat. Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window.

• Do not distract your school bus driver.

• If your bus crosses railroad tracks, especially those without flashing signals, be quiet so that your driver can listen for a train. Always obey your school bus driver’s instructions, so that he or she can make safe decisions.

• Never play with the emergency exits. Backpacks, band instruments or sports equipment should never block the aisles or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

• When leaving the school bus, make sure that all drawstrings and other loose objects are secure so that they don’t get caught on the handrail or the door.

• Never cross the street behind the school bus.

• If you leave something on the bus or drop something outside of the bus, never go back for it. The driver may not see you and may begin moving the bus.

• Don’t speak to strangers at the bus stop, and never get into a vehicle with a stranger.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.