Back-To-School Traffic Safety Urged

OCEAN CITY - With
schools in the area re-opening next week, area law enforcement agencies and
transportation officials are reminding motorists to take extra care during
morning and afternoon commute times.

According to an Ocean
City Police Department (OCPD) release this week, August is Back-to-School
Safety Month, and with area students returning to school on Monday, the
department is reminding motorists to be cautious and follow all traffic rules
concerning school buses and pedestrians in Ocean City.

While it may feel like
summer and there are still thousands of visitors in the resort, local school
children will be walking to and from their bus stops early Monday morning and
late Monday afternoon, and the OCPD is reminding visitors and residents to take
extra care on the resort's roadways.

OCPD officials said this
week school bus pick-up times vary in the resort area, but as a general rule,
morning pick-ups are typically from 7-8 a.m. while afternoon drop-offs range
from 2:45-4 p.m. There is also a mid-day pick-up and drop-off time for
pre-kindergarten students, generally from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The OCPD also clarified
the traffic rules regarding school buses on Coastal Highway, which are often
confusing for many area residents and visitors. Motorists traveling in the same
direction as the bus must stop when the lights are flashing and the stop-arm is
down while engaged in pick-ups or drop-offs on the highway.