Beaufort County streets are about to get a bit busier. Students are set to return to classes a week from Monday, making road safety in the morning and afternoon an important thing to consider.

The commute to work will be a bit more tedious with parents and students making the trek to local schools. Seasoned drivers will have to be wary of students on the road who may not have as much driving experience.

Being safer in that regard will require drivers to use defensive tactics that include planning ahead in case of an emergency. In most instances, that begins and ends with being aware of one’s surroundings and knowing what move to make to avert danger.

Awareness behind the wheel can prevent many accidents. Students en route to school shouldn’t be on their phones, doing hair or makeup or anything other than watching the road in front of them.

Other drivers aren’t the only concern for back-to-school traffic. Younger students make up plenty of pedestrians, too. According to the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives are between the ages of 4 and 7 years old. They’re struck by the bus or by a driver illegally passing a stopped bus.

To ensure the safety of local children, be sure to obey all the traffic laws that accompany school zones and buses. Stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections; follow instructions from crossing guards; don’t block crosswalks; and don’t pass other vehicles stopped for pedestrians.

Patience is the most important key to sharing the road with a school bus. Not only should a motorist never pass a stopped bus, he should exercise extreme caution in the immediate area around a stopped bus because the children getting on and off don’t always consider the dangers around them.

There will be a lot more happening on the roads once school starts up. Being alert and following these few tips will help ensure the safety of Beaufort County’s youth.