It’s just a matter of time before residents of North Kitsap start complaining about those kids and their fast cars. Back to school translates into many more cars on the road during the morning commute and one heck of a lot more vehicles in the hours immediately following the end of daily classes.

But for those who shake their fists at our speedy youth, and for the speedy youth who feel the need to race to and from their destinations, it’s important that we remember that school traffic safety is a two-way street.

There are a lot of kids out there walking, waiting for buses, parents, etc. who rely on all of us to keep our eyes on the road and stay alert in school zones and beyond. While they are asked to look both ways while crossing the street, drivers (both students and adults) in school zones should make doubly sure that they heed posted speed limits.

Kids’ lives are on the line here.

Yes, yes. Traffic safety warnings fall right in there with fireworks’ safety and, more often than not, go unheeded by the general public. It’s an unfortunate trend but it doesn’t mean that the audience is unreachable. As a community, we owe it to our kids not only to teach them good driving habits in preparation for the busy school year but to lead by example every time we get behind the wheel ourselves.