Backpacks, Buses and Busy Roads: ALEA Reminds Motorists to Keep School-Year Safety a Priority

ALEA reminds motorists to slow down, stay alert, and remain mindful of school buses and students as the school year continues across Alabama. (Photo courtesy of ALEA | Graphic by The Weekly Ledger News)

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | State and Community News | Tuesday, August 18, 2026

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — With the 2026-2027 school year now well underway for students across much of Alabama, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is reminding motorists that back-to-school safety should remain a priority long after the first day of classes.

As families settle back into their regular school-year routines, Alabama roadways are once again seeing heavier morning and afternoon traffic, school buses making frequent stops, young pedestrians and bicyclists traveling near roadways, and reduced speed limits in school zones.

ALEA Troopers are asking motorists to remain patient, slow down, and eliminate distractions behind the wheel — especially during busy morning arrival and afternoon dismissal times.

“As a parent, I understand the excitement and the concern that come with sending our children back to school each year,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said. “We all want to know they will arrive safely and make it back home at the end of the day.”

Taylor said the return of buses, young drivers and pedestrians to Alabama roadways requires everyone to pay closer attention.

“With school buses back on the roads and more young drivers and pedestrians traveling each morning and afternoon, I ask everyone to be patient, put the phone down and slow down,” Taylor said. “Those few extra minutes behind the wheel are a small price to pay when it comes to protecting Alabama’s children.”

Troopers Focus on School Zones and Heavily Traveled Routes

ALEA Department of Public Safety Director Col. Jonathan Archer said Troopers will remain visible around school zones and along heavily traveled routes during the morning and afternoon hours.

“Back-to-school season is an exciting time for students and families, but it also brings increased traffic and activity around our schools and communities,” Archer said.

Although many families have now had several days to adjust to their school-year schedules, Archer stressed that drivers should not allow familiarity with the routine to lead to complacency behind the wheel.

“We know it takes time for everyone to readjust to school-year traffic, but that makes it even more important to leave a little earlier, slow down and stay focused behind the wheel,” Archer said. “Our goal is simple: to help every child get to school safely and make it back home at the end of the day.”

Drivers Urged to Remain Alert

ALEA is reminding motorists to obey posted speed limits, particularly in school zones and residential areas, and to allow additional travel time during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal.

Drivers should put their phones away and avoid anything that takes their eyes or attention away from the road. Motorists should also watch carefully for children walking or riding bicycles near schools, neighborhoods, crosswalks, and bus stops.

Drivers should never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk, and everyone inside a vehicle should be properly restrained with a seat belt or appropriate child restraint.

Remember the Rules Around School Buses

School buses are once again a regular part of morning and afternoon traffic throughout Alabama, and ALEA is reminding motorists to be prepared to stop when a bus activates its flashing red lights and extends its stop arm.

Drivers should never attempt to illegally pass a stopped school bus.

Students should arrive at their bus stops early and wait in a safe location away from the roadway. Children should wait until the bus has completely stopped and the driver indicates that it is safe before approaching.

Students should never walk behind a school bus. When crossing in front of a bus, they should remain far enough ahead for the driver to clearly see them.

If something is dropped near or underneath a school bus, students should tell the driver rather than attempting to retrieve it themselves.

Safety for Students Walking or Biking

Students walking or riding bicycles to school should use sidewalks whenever available and cross streets only at designated crosswalks or intersections.

Before entering a roadway, students should stop and look left, right, and left again. Making eye contact with drivers before crossing can also help ensure motorists have seen them.

ALEA advises students to avoid looking at phones or wearing headphones that prevent them from hearing surrounding traffic while crossing streets.

Bicyclists should wear properly fitted helmets and follow the rules of the road. Students traveling during early morning or other low-light conditions should wear bright or reflective clothing and use appropriate lights or reflective equipment to help motorists see them.

Parents and Teen Drivers Play an Important Role

Parents are encouraged to regularly review safe routes to school and bus stops with younger children and remind them never to unexpectedly enter a roadway.

Students who drive themselves to school should buckle up, obey posted speed limits, and keep their phones put away while driving.

ALEA also encourages teen drivers to limit distractions from passengers and give themselves enough time to reach school without speeding or driving aggressively.

While the excitement of the first day of school may have passed for many Alabama families, ALEA officials say the responsibility to keep students safe continues every school day.

Whether behind the wheel, riding a school bus, walking or biking to class, the agency’s message remains simple:

Slow down. Stay alert. Put the phone away.

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