MONTGOMERY COUNTY — This week, thousands of students are heading back to school in the Miami Valley, and drivers need to be prepared for the roads to get busier.
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As reported on News Center 7 Daybreak, while the back-to-school season means more cars and school buses on the road and kids crossing the streets, it also means more road projects will be underway.
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Life is about to get very busy for many parents across the Miami Valley as they prepare their kids for the return to school.
One Oakwood mother said she hopes drivers passing through the area will be ready as well.
“Just make sure you stay focused. Take your time and slow down. And it’s not worth it,” Angelina, a parent in Oakwood, said.
With Oakwood being a predominantly walking district, signs and flashing lights are a constant reminder of students hitting the pavement to and from school.
Eric, a driver for UPS, said it’s up to drivers to be in control at all times.
“When you’re behind the wheel, you got to be alert, whether schools out or in, because I think it’s more dangerous when school’s out, because kids are more careless. But yeah, you just gotta have your head on swivel, nonstop, and just be alert when you’re behind that wheel,” Eric said.
There are also a number of construction projects in the Miami Valley that are already underway or are scheduled in the next few weeks.
WHIO Traffic Expert Jake Magnotta said there are a number of projects in progress on busy roads like State Route 4 and around US-35 in Montgomery County that are impacting traffic.
And that traffic can sometimes lead to accidents. A total of 6,225 crashes involving school buses have occurred in Ohio since 2020, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
“You’re going to be seeing a lot more school buses. You know, got to know when to slow down. Got to know where the busy spots are going to be,” Magnotta said. “If you know you’re going to be driving through a construction area, maybe just already, plan ahead. Give yourself some extra time. Obviously, know your alternate routes too. If you’re going to be driving through that area, you never know when some slow truck traffic could pop up.”
Construction has been underway on Social Row in southern Montgomery County for about 5 weeks, and will continue for the next year.
A busy spot like that can derail a commute, and avoiding it altogether is the best bet.
That’s the key for drivers like Eric, who said that whether it’s a short drive to the store or a regular trip to work, it’s always important to keep others in mind.
“Just be in the same routine, be patient, and just realize that it’s not only your life, but it’s the life of others around you,” Eric said.
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