As motorists, we're sometimes guilty of putting our minds on autopilot when we're heading down the road.
We're deep in thought about where we need to go, whether we're going to get there on time, what projects need immediate attention at work, and what needs to be bought for the evening meal.
Sometimes, we trust that our car can get us from point A to point B with little attention paid to the roads. That's why you'll see "inattention" on so many police reports as the cause of wrecks.
We urge drivers always to give driving the high degree of attention it deserves. But this week, we ask motorists to pay special attention as children return to school.
We join in the Jefferson City Police Department's plea for drivers not to zone out around school zones.
Many of us may have gotten in the habit over the summer of driving through school zones at the normal speed limit. But now, more than ever, lives are at stake when driving around schools.
The JCPD said it will have an increased presence in school zones, and assertively will enforce school zone speed limits, child restraint violations, school bus stop sign violations and other hazardous moving violations.
Extra officers will be on duty enforcing hazardous moving violations within City school zones and along school bus routes - thanks to funding provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation's Highway Safety and Traffic Division.
Drivers are encouraged to be patient with school traffic, to exercise added caution when driving in or near school zones, and to be attentive to school buses while loading and unloading children.
Being even more mindful of traffic laws while everyone adjusts from summer break to classes will help ensure a safe start to the new school year.