On Tuesday, Sept. 2, hundreds of children and teenagers in the Edmonds School District will be engaged in the annual rite known as the first day of school.

And 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 a pretty hefty fine.

So to avoid giving your hard-earned income to the government – or something much worse – just slow down, allow 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.