Howard County students, like many across the state, have just two full days left of summer vacation before school starts next week.

Nearly 60,000 students in Howard County will dive back into the books on Monday, with nearly three-quarters of students riding the bus to and from school, sharing the roadways with motorists.

Ahead of the school year, county leaders shared an urgent safety message.

“Follow directions, follow our lead, be aware of the children,” said Mike Tewey, a Howard County crossing guard who has worked in the crosswalks for years.

Outside a middle school in Hanover on Wednesday, officials laid out the rules of the road for driving behind a bus.

If the bus is stopped, the lights are flashing and the arm is out, motorists must stop — no matter how many lanes of traffic

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