Tennessee Highway Patrol will be watching as students head back to class.
THP Lt. Jimmy Neal said troopers will be patrolling in and near school zones and may even ride school buses to make sure students are safe.
“We just want to reiterate leave early, leave early, watch for the school buses, don’t drive distracted, don’t drive impaired, and wear your seat belt,” Neal said.
Making sure drivers and their passengers wear their seat belts is key, Neal said.
“The best thing you can do for yourself and your family and everyone around you is to make sure you are seatbelted and to make sure everyone in your car is seatbelted,” Neal said.
Students across the Upper Cumberland will soon be in the classroom.
Putnam County students began Tuesday; Clay, Overton and Jackson counties all begin this week.