Northport Police Help Launch Back to School Safe Driving Campaign

Officer Peter Howard and local school children helped AAA New York to launch its 67th annual “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign at the Northport police headquarters this week.

Howard will be mounting colorful “School’s Open” posters in Northport to warn motorists to be extra careful as thousands of children return to school in September.

“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. “We appreciate the efforts of Officer Howard, which will result in increased safety for all students.”

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.

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.