Cruising through a school zone at 20mph with lots on your mind? That’s me. I call it “school zoning.” I think my car actually “idles” at 20mph, so it’s kind of like a cheap man’s cruise control. I must admit, it’s been nice to not have to coordinate my work commute around school zone hours. It certainly shaves some time off my drive, if I leave before or after school zone hours. But that is not always possible. By next week kids will be back to school and I will have to re-coordinate my travel times.

I remember when I was a kid. Summer breaks were longer, for sure. My mom would take us school shopping and get us all hyped up about going back to school by buying us all new stuff. And it wouldn’t hit me until half way through that first day of school. I was tricked again!  Winter vacation from school was the same deal. I’d get lots of new winter clothes for school and made to be super excited about returning to school in my new duds. Tricked one more time! What a dumb kid I was.

So next week those good old school zone laws will be in effect. Remember to look out for kids. Especially the elementary school kids, they’ll dart out right in front of you. High school kids are no better, I suppose. They’ll be texting when they’re crossing the street.

Be sure to practice safe driving in a school zone and observe school zone hours. Don’t let anything or anyone distract you and don’t forget to look out for school buses, with their good old red flashing lights. That’s a hefty fine, as are all child safety laws. Because kids are simply much more important now than kids were when I was a kid.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

School Zone – Comedy Defensive Driving