Schools in Clinton are back in session this week, and local authorities are reminding motorists around school buildings in the community to be mindful of students walking, biking, or driving to school, and especially of school buses.

Clinton Police Department School Resource Officer Kody Mair reminds motorists that there are stiff penalties for those who disobey a school bus's signals.

According to Officer Mair, the first priority for local law enforcement is the safety of the kids and the workers around school buildings. He reminds that this includes the crossing guards who are helping students get to and from school safely.

Officer Mair encourages parents with students walking from building to building or to their homes to use crossing guards whenever possible.

When motorists approach a school bus, Officer Mair says the biggest thing you want to be on the lookout for is the stop sign and red arm bar that pops out from the school bus. He emphasizes this means children are either entering or exiting the school bus.

Officer Mair encourages anyone who commutes through or around school zones to be mindful of the increased traffic that comes with school starting and find alternate routes to work if possible. He says the flow of traffic and ease of getting kids to and from school usually get better after the first week or two of class being back in session.