Local law enforcement agencies are reminding drivers to be careful on the roads as several school districts will be back in session next week.

Athens City Schools won’t resume until Aug. 30, but Lindsay Lane Christian Academy starts back Wednesday and Athens Bible School begins Thursday. Athens Police Capt. Trevor Harris said school zones would be active and drivers should act accordingly.

“It’s a good reminder for motorists to pay attention to their speed and to pedestrians,” he said. “Motorists should make sure they stop when they approach school buses.”

Just as importantly, Harris said, motorists should bring plenty of extra patience over the course of the first few weeks. That patience will be tested again when Athen City Schools begins.

Harris said new traffic patterns will be established to accommodate middle-schoolers who will begin the year at the old high school and high schoolers who will be attending the former middle school as they wait for the new high school to be completed.

“You also have students and parents who may be moving from an elementary school to an intermediate school or from the intermediate school to the middle school,” he said.

He asked drivers dropping off or picking up students at schools in residential neighborhoods to make sure they’re not blocking driveways. He also asked drivers to avoid distracted driving.

“Distracted driving is not just texting, but it could be making phone calls, operating a GPS system or as simple as working a radio or connecting your phone to your car,” Harris said. “Any type of distraction is a hazard to drivers and pedestrians.”

Residents who work in Huntsville are also being asked to exercise caution on the roads when school resumes Monday. Huntsville Police Spokesman Lt. Michael Johnson said 80 public safety aides would be directing traffic in school zones, and motorists should obey directions.

Like Harris, he urged drivers to use caution in regard to approaching school buses.

“Motorists are required to stop for any school bus that has a stop sign extended and/or its red flashing lights activated. This applies whether you are approaching the bus from the front or the rear,” Johnson said. “The only exception is if you are traveling in the opposite direction on a four-lane highway with a divider between the opposing lanes.”

The law not only applies to buses stopped on roadways, but also buses stopped on private streets and parking lots to include school campuses. Penalties for violating this law range from fines to suspension of driver’s license and community service.