In Transit: Back to school worries for parents

One of the toughest parts of a new school year is getting used to the morning routine. Not only am I getting up earlier than I do most days in the summer, but despite not being much of a morning person, I’ve got to be awake enough to get my kids to school on time, and in one piece.

But, of course, it’s not only my own kids’ safety I have to worry about. With school kids crossing at just about every intersection in my Valley Stream neighborhood, and school buses picking up and dropping off kids all over, hypervigilance among motorists is a must.

And still, tragedies happen. While stories like that of 12-year-old Zachary Ranftle, who was killed walking to Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School in December of 2014, are relatively rare, less serious crashes and near-misses are far more routine. Don’t believe me? Just ask a student or two, as I did.

While driving him home from school last week, I posed this question to my 10th-grade son: "Have any of your friends been hit by a car?" His answer, "Oh, yeah. A ton. It’s more common than you’d think." He shared a couple recent stories that came to mind, including of one classmate who was struck while riding his bike and was hospitalized with multiple fractures.

I asked the same question of my 12th-grade son, and he had a similar answer, reminding me of one friend who limped into class a couple years ago after having his bicycle smashed on his way to school.

There were many more stories of close calls or smaller incidents — like a kid biking into an open car door — in which neither police nor parents were ever notified. Their tales speak to added safety risks that come with the start of every school year.

"Everybody’s gotten used to not having all that extra traffic over the summer. And then, literally overnight, we’ve got all the school buses that come out. And school activities can run from 7 in the morning to 6 or 7 p.m," Robert Sinclair Jr., senior manager of public affairs for AAA Northeast, said in an interview. "There needs to be a serious adjustment from one day to the next."

Among AAA’s tips for drivers at the start of a new school year: Drive at or below the speed limit, especially around schools; slow down and be prepared to stop for school buses; and avoid distractions, as kids can unexpectedly pop out anywhere, including from between parked cars.

And one tip from me, and for me: Get plenty of sleep, because you need to be fully awake in the morning.

Did you know?

As of February, illegally passing a stopped school bus, if spotted by police, can get you eight points on your driver's license — the second-highest of any driving violation. After being assessed 11 points within 24 months, you can have your license suspended or revoked. So keep an eye out for those flashing school bus lights, even on the other side of divided roadways.

Readers speak up

A couple weeks ago, we asked for your road trip stories. Keep them coming! What's been the best you've taken? The worst? Let us know at transit@newsday.com.

To anyone contemplating a cross-country road trip, I strongly recommend that you do it! It’s the best way to gain a significant appreciation of the vastness and varied landscapes that exist in our own great country. To drive for days in the same direction is an experience that you won’t ever forget, which I did at the ripe old age of 22 along with my future wife, something that I will never regret doing when I had the time and energy to make such an extended trip feasible. To see the amazing sights of Yellowstone, the absolute beauty of Yosemite and Big Sur, and to stand amongst the redwoods and the giant sequoias, the largest and oldest living things on earth, are all extremely humbling experiences that all Americans should bear witness to at some point in their lives. It’s no wonder that tourists come from all over the world just to see what’s right here in our homeland. If you ever get the chance, take it!

Peter Alp, Manorville

Transportation news

• Could the solution to the stampede of rush hour commuters down to track level at Penn Station be extending LIRR service to New Jersey? Some proponents of "through-running" think so, and their proposal is gaining momentum.
• From the days of greasers playing chicken in their hot rods to motorcyclists popping wheelies on TikTok, "street takeovers" have been a persistent problem on Long Island's roads.
• Gov. Kathy Hochul says a lot of road repairs have gotten done on Long Island as of late, but there's still plenty more ahead before the end of paving season.
• Rather sit next to your dog than a human on your next flight? One airline now serving Long Island MacArthur Airport has you covered.
• Whether you're pumping unleaded or diesel, the price of gas just keeps climbing .

Travel watch

• New LIRR timetables, affecting every branch, took effect today and will last through Nov. 8. Check them out here. 
• Two westbound lanes on Sunrise highway will be closed overnight on weeknights for about four weeks between County Line Road (County Road 1) in the Town of Babylon and the Wantagh State Parkway for paving work.

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.