Back to School: Slow down, watch for kids, be safe in school zones

Monday is the first day for traditional calendar schools, which means pretty much every single school in the region will be in session starting Monday.

Let's also remember that kids don't just take the bus to get to school. Some walk along roads with no sidewalks (including my own grade schooler - with me by her side, of course). Some are crossing streets. Some new drivers are on their way to local high schools.

Everybody: Please put your phones down and pay attention, especially in areas around schools. Don't be the driver who laid on her horn and tried to pull out around another car that had stopped so my daughter and I could cross the street on a CROSSWALK THAT WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF A LARGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS SCHOOL LET OUT.

Yes - I'm yelling. Because years later, that experience still drives me absolutely nuts. I have so many words I'd like to share with that woman beyond the G-rated "What the what!?!?" I screamed at her as she drove by, avoiding any chance of eye contact with me.

I understand that it may take you an extra minute to get to work because you have to wait for a child to cross the street. When you're running late, I totally get it. That extra lost minute is a bummer.

If you need even more incentive to obey the laws other than, you know, not seriously injuring or killing a child, here are the penalties in North Carolina for failing to comply with school zone and school bus safety rules.

So, let's all make a pact to do better this year. We're talking about kids and their safety, after all.