Now that thousands of students have joined the morning commute in Newtown, we all get a chance to practice patience, especially those of us who happen to be travelling on Route 34 in the area of the high school at 7:45 am. Remember that young drivers, and even younger pedestrians on their way to and from bus stops, will be plying the roadways at high-traffic times.

Common courtesy gets run off the road into a ditch with regularity these days. With school back in session, however, now would be the perfect time to pick it up, dust it off, and restore it to its rightful place behind the wheel. Courtesy dictates that we make allowances for others on the road. But if courtesy isn’t incentive enough for you, remember that there are two laws that help protect children. The first is the law that requires motorists come to a complete stop when school buses are loading and unloading along the roadside. The second requires a full stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. The police will be watching closely for violations of these laws throughout the school year.

So show a little patience, show a little courtesy, and show in this small way, every day, that you support Newtown’s schoolchildren.