AAA New York State is launching its 65th annual "School's Open - Drive Carefully" program, urging motorists to be especially careful around children who are walking and cycling their way to school.

To help safeguard children's safety during the school year, motorists should pay attention to the following reminders: reduce speed when driving near schools, bus stops and playgrounds; stop for school buses that have red flashing lights and refrain from using a cell phone while driving - it's the law; drive cautiously in bad weather; and teach your children to look in every direction before crossing the street.

School's open posters will be mounted along school routes and at schools. Statewide more than 5,000 posters will be distributed and 20,000 School's Open bumper stickers will be visible on government owned vehicles, school buses and private cars.

Once again this year, as part of the "School's Open" campaign, AAA clubs are offering a tip sheet for parents to review with their children on choosing the safest route to school, plus important safety rules. The tip sheet is downloadable here in English or Spanish. It advises parents to show their children which route to take and why.

We urge all drivers to pay close attention to the road, particularly during the back-to-school season, when children may be more playful than watchful.

Effective November 1, 2009, New York State has joined the ban on hand held devices, including the sending of text messages, by drivers of ALL ages. Violators of the new law will be subject to a $150 fine. However, the ban on portable electronics is considered a secondary offense, which means that it could only be levied if a driver is pulled over for another violation.

You can download the Pay Attention: Texting While Driving is Deadly poster by clicking Here

AAA New York State’s annual “Trim a Shrub for Safety” campaign is now underway. As you know, the goal of this campaign is to encourage homeowners to survey their properties for overgrown shrubs, foliage and branches, which may be blocking signs, sidewalks or intersection sight distance. We ask homeowners to either trim back this overgrown vegetation as part of their regular yard maintenance, or to contact their local municipality to notify them of the problem.

Click Here for a PDF of our Trim a Shrub Bookmark that you can distribute to your travel offices, AAA Driver Improvement Program classes, local garden centers and to public libraries.