With many students across the state taking a school bus today for the first time in nearly a year, Upland Borough Police are stressing school bus safety for motorists.

Officers are reminding motorists to be on alert for school buses and not to ignore the red flashing lights when a bus is stopped. Those caught breaking the law by police can cost a driver a fine and points on their driver’s license.

- When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.

- When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking about getting there safely.

- Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.

- Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.

- Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

- Learn and obey the “alternately flashing warning light” system that school bus drivers use to alert motorists.

- Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop vehicles.

- Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.