UTICA — Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, and AAA Northeast have launched their annual School’s Open-Drive Carefully Campaign, reminding drivers to be extra careful behind the wheel as children end their summer vacations and head back to school.

“Very soon, thousands of children will be walking to and from school and school buses, many for the first time,” said Maciol. “Everyone who drives has a responsibility to be especially careful during this busy time for school children.”

Children tend to be at greater risk during the back-to-school period because they are thinking more about seeing old friends, new teachers, and their new school day rather than watching for traffic.

Drivers should be aware that school traffic can begin as early as 7 a.m. and go through the late afternoon as late as 6 p.m. with after-school activities, officials said. Children may be walking to school, driven by a parent, or even driving themselves to high school.

To help protect children, Maciol and AAA Northeast offered these tips:

For drivers

• Keep speeds at or below posted limits, especially near school zones;
• Slow down and be prepared to stop for school buses with flashing red lights, even on divided roadways, as required by New York State law;
• If driving children to school, know and follow the school’s protocols for drop-off and pick-up; and
• Be especially alert in poor weather.

For walkers

• Children younger than 10 should walk with an adult;
• Stick to the sidewalk or as close to the left side of the road as possible if there is no sidewalk;
• Look all ways before crossing streets as well as crossing over driveways;
• Cross at corners or intersections, obeying traffic signals and school crossing guards;
• Pay attention to vehicle traffic, as drivers may not be paying attention as they should; and
• Be especially alert in poor weather.