The first day of school doesn’t just represent a big change for kids, parents and school employees.

It’s also a big day for drivers, who for the better part of the last two months have had the luxury of driving on streets free from the stop-and-start traffic caused by school buses stopping and picking up children.

Now you have to adjust your driving again, because the buses will be back on the road in full force this week, as school classes resume.

This annual tradition requires us all to start paying closer attention to changing conditions and to the way we drive, with thousands of children’s lives back in the mix.

If you encounter buses in your commute, expect to have to set aside a little extra time for those multiple stops. Pay more attention to the road if you’ve gotten in the habit of talking on your phone. And be cognizant of the laws regarding stopped or slowing........

© The Leader Herald