With the start of Minnesota schools just around the corner, the roads before and after school will soon be busy with children who are either riding the bus or walking to school.

Please keep their safety in mind.

You’d think with something as big and bright as school buses on the road that motorists would be on the alert. However, each year there are dozens of people in the community who — for whatever reason — drive around a school bus when its stop arm is down and its lights are flashing.

In 2007, police cited 31 people in Albert Lea for school bus arm violations, 34 were cited in 2008, 26 in 2009 and eight have been cited so far in 2010, according to the Albert Lea Police Department.

Oddly during those four years, there have been more citations locally on Wednesdays, compared to any other day of the school week. No particular part of the community had more citations than others; they were spread throughout town.

Why the citations?

Albert Lea Police Chief Dwaine Winkels said when asked by police why they violated the stop arm some people said they didn’t see it; others said they tried to get by before the arm was fully extended.

There’s no excuse. Don’t take the risk.

Don’t drive distracted.

Don’t drive rushed.

And give a bus the space it needs to protect the children of our community.

Be prepared for it to stop, and drive accordingly.

Being a few minutes late to work is better than what could be the alternative.

We must watch out for the children who might not be watching out for themselves.