Back to School: 'Schools Open Drive Carefully' Campaign

When schools re-open next week, many changes take place in Bronxville-Eastchester including the presence of more congestion and unfortunate incidents of automobile accidents.

Tuckahoe Police, along with AAA New York have launched it's 67th annual "School's Open - Drive Carefully" campaign to promote safe driving in the Village once schools return to session.

Police Officers Chris Santiago and Andrew Zirolnik of the Tuckahoe Police Department, will be mounting colorful “School’s Open” posters in Tuckahoe to warn motorists to be extra careful as thousands of local youngsters return to school.

“The help that we get from our club-area police departments adds to the effectiveness of our ‘School’s Open’ campaign,” said Donna Galasso, assistant director of the club’s Traffic Safety unit in a press release. 

“We appreciate the efforts of Officers Santiago and Zirolnik, which will result in increased safety for all students,” said Galasso.

Galasso reminds drivers, including bicyclists, to be especially cautious in school areas, keeping their speed at or below posted limits and being prepared to stop, on both sides of the street, for school buses with flashing red lights and stop arms, as required by New York State law.

The Club’s annual “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign is conducted with local government and police agencies.  Thousands of posters, bumper stickers and other educational materials are distributed through the program.

AAA New York State’s “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” program began in 1945.  Since then, it has helped to prevent injuries and deaths among children of elementary school age.

AAA New York, the local AAA affiliate, provides automotive, travel and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in New York City, Westchester and beyond.

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