Bangor - During the summer months, sometimes we forget how busy the commute is during the school year. In just a couple of weeks, kids are heading back to the classroom, which means all of those buses and extra cars will be back on the road.

Sgt. Paul Edwards of the Bangor Police Department says drivers should start giving themselves an extra ten to fifteen minutes to get where they need to go.

"Getting used to adding a little more time for those unknown stops or unpredictable places where buses are going to start to pick up kids or where there's a large amount of traffic near schools, like Bangor High School for example," said Edwards.

In any school zone, pay attention to the 15 mph traffic signs before and after classes. If you don't, it could cost you.

Edwards said, "Fines are very high on those. They could go up to $500 or more for speeding in a school zone depending on how fast you're going."

Patrol officers are also looking out for drivers who don't stop for school buses. But they're not the only ones.

"School bus drivers are also taking down plate numbers, descriptions of people who pass school buses and stuff. So if you don't see a cop or you think, 'Well, I'm just going to blow by this bus real quick because I know there's no kids or it's probably safe,' that bus driver will take down your information and forward that to us and we could actually give you a ticket," said Edwards.

Kids also need to be careful. Students should use crosswalks and look out for crossing guards. And Edwards is reminding those who ride their bikes to school that they have to follow the rules of the road too.

He said, "If you're a student, same things apply. We both have to be just very careful of each other and know that we're going to be sharing the road again during this time."

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