New Rochelle Police Help Launch 'School's Open -- Drive Carefully' Campaign

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- AAA Northeast has launched its 71st annual "School's Open -- Drive Carefully" program at the New Rochelle Police Department. The program alerts drivers to be extra careful behind the wheel as children end summer vacation and return to school.

Once again, local police are teaming up with AAA to promote safe driving.
Photo Credit: *contributed*

Rachel Martin

09/02/2016 4:00 a.m.

Police Officers Erick Aguilar and Alan Silverman joined local school children to help AAA kick off the program.

Drivers should be particularly cautious in school areas, keeping their speed at or below posted limits and being prepared to stop for school buses with flashing red lights, on either side of the street, as required by New York law.

AAA's annual "School’s Open -- Drive Carefully" campaign is conducted with local government and police agencies.

"The help we get from police departments in our territory adds to the effectiveness of our 'School's Open' campaign," said Donna Galasso, assistant director of AAA's Traffic Safety unit.

"We appreciate the efforts of Officer Aguilar, Officer Silverman and the New Rochelle Police Department, which helps to increase safety for all students."

Statewide, AAA clubs will distribute over 4,400 posters and over 20,000 bumper stickers and other educational materials this year.

AAA New York's "School's Open -- Drive Carefully" program began in 1945 -- and the very first one began in Missouri, in 1933. Since then, it has helped to prevent injuries and deaths of elementary-school children.

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