The fairs are over or soon will be. It won’t be that long before cooler weather becomes the norm rather than the exception – summer is drawing to a close.

Even though the calendar shows another month of summer to be enjoyed, for students vacation days are about to end. All across Iowa young folks are heading back to school this week or within the next week or so.

That makes it especially important that each of us resolve to keep our streets and highways safe during a time of year when youngsters are present on or near roadways at some of the busiest parts of the day for motor traffic.

Paying heed to a few safety tips can help prevent the new school year from turning tragic.

• Observe speed limits and always drive with proper regard to weather and road conditions.

• Wear seat belts. They save lives and buckling up is the law.

• Pay close attention to what is going on around you. With more youngsters en route to or from school at busy commuting times, the chance that a child will dash into the path of a vehicle is real. Be ready to avert tragedy.

• Avoid driving while fatigued.

• Remember that alcohol and driving never mix. If you imbibe, make sure that the driving is done by someone who stays unimpaired.

None of these admonitions should sound surprising.

Most of us have heard similar cautions before.

Even so, many accidents could be avoided if we all exercised common sense and made personal commitments to keep ourselves and others safe.

As school opens, let’s all pledge that no seats will become vacant due to our carelessness on the road.