AAA wants to make sure the roads are safe as kids head back to school for full-time in-person instruction.
AAA, along with law enforcement and state leaders, kicked off its annual "School's Open - Drive Carefully" campaign.
The main message is urging drivers to take extra precautions as traffic picks up after a year of online learning.
"Distracted driving, for whatever reason is at a scary all-time high," said AAA of Western and Central New York president Tony Spada. "And with the school bus driver shortages, drivers have added pressure to safely transport our students every single day. Here's some safety tips from AAA for our drivers. First: before you move the vehicle check your mirrors and your back up cameras. Second: slow down just drive at a reasonable pace. Third: don’t drive distracted. Put your cellphones away. Fourth: always stop for a school bus when the lights are flashing. Don’t pass other vehicles. Fifth: teach your children the rules of traffic safety. Make eye contact with the drivers as they are crossing the road."
The campaign was launched 75 years ago to help reduce the number of school-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities.