AAA holds conference in Penfield about traffic safety as back-to-school approaches

PENFIELD, N.Y. — The start of the new school year is fast approaching and AAA wants to remind drivers to be careful as school buses rejoin the roads.

AAA of central and western New York held a news conference on Wednesday in Penfield urging drivers to slow down, always stop for school buses when their lights are flashing, and remain aware of what and who is around them.

“These small children are precious and we need to get them home safely to their parents. We need to get them to school safely, said New York State Trooper Mark O’donnell. “So it’s real simple: put your phones down, drive through school zones safely, reduce your speeds, and if you see a stopped school bus, even on a divided highway, you must stop.”

AAA also recommends that parents teach their children the rules of traffic safety.

Mayor Malik Evans also urged people to increase their awareness as they drive with back-to-school approaching. The mayor’s news conference was in response to a recent hit-and-run in Rochester and to reckless driving that he has noticed.