MARSHALL COUNTY — The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency would like to remind everyone that a new school year is underway and drivers need to be proactive in order to keep kids safe as they head back to school.

Here are some simple reminders for drivers:

• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your   cell phone and don’t talk or text while driving.
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and between vehicles.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Be aware of kids riding bicycles.
• Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours.
• Always stop for a school bus that has stopped to load or unload passengers. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is about to make a stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm tell you the school bus is stopped to load and unload children.
• Traffic on an undivided highway must stop in both directions when
• Always stop for a school crossing guard in the roadway.