On Wednesday, Sept. 3, thousands of children and teenagers will be engaged in the annual rite known as the first day of school.

On that day, drivers need to exercise caution and common sense to make sure the first day back, and all subsequent school days, are safe ones for drivers, parents, children and families.

As part of an effort to encourage safer driving habits around schools, new, higher fines went into effect statewide on July 1. If you pass a school bus that is loading or unloading children, or are caught speeding in a school zone, you are going to face an even heftier fine than before.

Some examples: Getting caught speeding in a school zone will set you back $177. Pass a stopped school bus, and you will be set back a whopping $363. Ignore a crossing guard and you’ll be fined $194, as well as possibly face a reckless driving ticket if your driving is bad enough. Or you could be slapped with an additional $101 fine for not yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

So to avoid giving your hard-earned income to the government – or something possibly much worse – just slow down. Give yourself ample time to get where you’re going if you have to drive through a school zone, and keep your attention focused on the road, rather than your cell phone, compact disc or Egg McMuffin.

Police will be around the schools making sure everyone gets to their classes safely, so do not risk a ticket and a nasty interaction with a patrol officer who won’t be thrilled to meet you under those circumstances.