A vehicular accident like the one that injured four students at Belmont's Ralston Middle School in May can be avoided this upcoming school year if drivers heighten their awareness near schools, officials said.

Three boys were taken into intensive care and a fourth was also hospitalized after a 70-year-old local resident lost control of a SUV in a school parking lot. The man's granddaughter was aboard at the time but neither were hurt.

However, 12 people were given medical treatment after the vehicle hit a San Mateo County transit bus and then plowed into a group of students.

This year drivers can get information on safely picking up and dropping off students at school through a Web page available at http://www.redwoodcity.org/schools.  

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Learning each school's procedure for pick-up and drop-off, as well as allowing extra time for high-traffic neighborhoods will increase safety, according to school officials. Using nearby locations or a school bus loading zone is discouraged, and walking to school is encouraged if possible.

Parking across the street is dangerous as children may cross the street outside a crosswalk, according to school officials. Getting involved with others in the community to spread safety tips will decrease the risk of accidents near school campuses.

— Bay City News