Aug. 20. Drivers should make an effort to slow down as kids head back to school. Know that yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop ─ motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.

Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety.

This includes two and four-lane highways.  Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.

If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.

The first day of school for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is Monday, Aug. 26.

More information, visit RedCross.org.