School is already in session for many students in Ohio and West Virginia. With the beginning of the school year comes the return of school buses and students riding them.

Get back in the mindset of giving yourself plenty of time to get to your destination during pick-up and drop-off hours. School buses may be a little slower and make frequent stops, but the drivers are not out to get you, personally. Their job is to make sure kids get to and from school safely. And they can do that because (most) drivers follow a few rules.

Never pass a bus while the stop arm is extended and the red lights are flashing. Children may be crossing in front of the bus to get to the other side of the street.

Don’t tailgate a bus. You may see the yellow flashing lights too late, despite the driver’s best efforts to let you know the bus is slowing down and preparing for a stop.

Be prepared, be patient and follow the rules. The NHTSA says illegal passing of stopped school buses is a prevalent issue, nationwide.

Let’s be certain that here, in the Ohio Valley, it disappears completely.