IOWA - As summer comes to a close, Iowa Department of Transportation officials are reminding motorists that students are going back to school, and drivers need to take extra precautions this time of the year. Streets full of school-age children and school buses stopping frequently present new challenges to motorists.
Children can dart into traffic in a split second as they hurry to get where they're going.
It's important that drivers always watch for them, because the children may not be watching for traffic. DOT safety officials recommend following these basic safety precautions when school is in session. Obey posted speed limits and slow down for school zones and residential areas. Give yourself some extra time to react to a child who may appear from nowhere, such as from behind a parked car or a school bus. Stop for school buses that are loading and unloading students.