MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Many local schools will be back in session after the Labor Day holiday. The Meridian Township Police Department are sharing tips on how young drivers and pedestrians can get to and from school safely.

"Having a little more enforcement out at the beginning of the school year is a common thing for us," said Lieutenant Greg Frenger, Meridian Township Police Department.

Some high school students have just finished drivers training this summer and will be driving themselves to school for the very first time.

"Crashes may be on the increase just because we have a lot of new drivers coming on the road, on their own that just don't have that experience yet," said Officer Bob Jurhs, Meridian Township Police Department.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for adolescents and according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, they are four times more likely than adult drivers to be involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes.

Parents should supervise their teens driving, set driving rules, and make sure to talk to them about distracted driving, especially texting.

"People don't understand how dangerous it could be to text and drive and they don't understand how much that increases their ability to react to a threat on the roadway," said Jurhs.

When you see a school bus ahead with yellow flashing lights, be prepared to stop within 20 feet of the bus; drivers that don't, will sure to be caught.

"And the schools now actually have recording equipment on the outside of their buses, that if someone runs through bus lights they can call us and it provides an image of their license plate," said Jurhs.

Be aware of the cross walk signs that indicate that students and parents may be walking across the street ahead. Also, playgrounds indicate children near by, so be sure to drive slow. and be aware of your surroundings.

Pedestrians also need to be aware of their surroundings and look both ways before crossing the street.