School's in session: Please slow down

It's that time of year when school campuses throughout Camarillo come alive again with the youthful energy of students from kindergartners to high school seniors.

For youngsters, the start of the school year is filled with equal parts excitement and apprehension.

And while many youngsters are thinking about their new teacher or reuniting with old friends, they aren't thinking about traffic safety.

No doubt, the morning and afternoon rushes on area campuses pose a number of dangers for children—especially those not easily visible to a driver seated up high in a sport utility vehicle.

School officials do their best to ensure that traffic is flowing safely at school sites, but it's up to parents dropping off and picking up their children to help keep school zones safe.

Oftentimes, it comes down to two basic rules of thumb: Slow down in school zones, and a little common courtesy goes a long way.

Mornings are always frantic, but there's no excuse for slaloming through a line of cars in front of the school at top speed to beat the morning bell or get to work a few minutes earlier.

In addition to simply slowing down, it would be immensely helpful if parents clicked off the cellphone (hands-free or not, it takes away concentration), put down the double latte and kept in mind that children, no matter what you tell them, have a knack for running across the street at the very worst time.

As part of its "School's Open Drive Carefully" campaign, the Automobile Association of America offers the following basic safety tips for those driving through school zones:

•Look for indications that children are near, such as bicycles, crossing guards and playgrounds.

•Scan for children between parked cars or other objects.

•Never pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing.

•Park on the same side of the street as the school and load and unload children at curbside.

•Carpool to reduce traffic at schools or bus stops.

•Ask school officials to designate pickup and drop-off areas.

•If your child walks to school, walk with them several times to familiarize them with traffic hazards along the route.

•Always practice safe walking habits. •Never stop in crosswalks, double-park or block visibility for children or drivers.