August has arrived and with it the 2024-25 school year. For the bulk of the North Kansas City School District schools, minus Crestview and Winnwood elementary schools, students return to school Tuesday, Aug. 20.

As the school year begins, the Missouri State Highway Patrol wants parents to include conversations about safety with their families.

It’s important drivers be prepared for the change in traffic patterns as students begin another year of instruction. In the state in 2023, four people were killed and 403 were injured in traffic crashes involving a school bus. A total of 877 traffic crashes involved school buses in the state last year, reports the patrol.

Students

“When walking to school, cross the street at intersections or marked crosswalks and never between parked cars. Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street,” suggests the highway patrol. “Use sidewalks when they are available. If it is necessary to walk on the roadway, stay close to the left edge and step off to the left when traffic approaches. Never dash into the street after a friend or to retrieve something.”

For students riding bikes, the patrol urges them to wear helmets and obey all traffic signs and signals.

“Ride as near to the right side of the roadway as is safe and use the proper hand signals when planing to change directions, slow, or stop. Never carry passengers. Keep both hands on the handlebars except when signaling,” states a highway patrol release.

For those riding the school bus, they should check the weather and dress accordingly.

“Wait in line for the bus on the shoulder or sidewalk. Use the handrail when getting on or off the bus. Never try to retrieve items that fall under the bus. Walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the street. Sit quietly on the bus and keep the aisle clear,” suggests the highway patrol.

Most traffic crashes involving drivers under the age of 21 occur between 3 and 4 p.m., when school typically lets out. According to the highway patrol, parents need to encourage young drivers to remember driving is a full-time job.

“Using a cellphone, texting or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. It’s also against the law,” states the patrol release.

Motorists

Other drivers on the road should also always be vigilant, especially near school zones, playgrounds, bicycle paths and crosswalks when schools are in session, states the patrol.

“Expect pedestrian and bicycle traffic to increase near schools on days when the weather is good. When schools are in session, drivers should expect a change in traffic patterns -school buses, parents taking their children to school and many young drivers will join other motorists on the road and affect the morning and afternoon commute,” reads the release.

Missouri law states that on a twolane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus.

“Drivers should stay alert and follow the law when approaching a stopped school bus. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway,” states the patrol release.