Ah, the pitter-patter of little feet.

On roadways.

On sidewalks.

In school zones.

Yes, the 2010-11 school year is under way and motorists — whether they are dropping off, picking up or simply driving by — should be aware there’s a whole lot more foot traffic throughout the community, especially in school zones and around school buses.

“Anytime you come up to a school, you want to use caution,” said Lance Cpl. Billy Elder, the community relations officer for the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Troop 4, which includes Union County.

From January through May of this year, SCHP’s Post A — which encompasses Union and Cherokee counties — issued 143 citations to motorists in school zones.

Those violations had a wide range, from what some might expect — i.e. not wearing a seat belt to speeding — to crimes like driving under suspension, driving under the influence and Elder himself has responded to major injury accidents in school zones.

Motorists need to be aware that children are back out in full force and they can do a lot to keep them safe.

Elder said much of the issue at the beginning of each school year when it comes to motorists is that a routine has yet to be established. His child is an elementary student and he knows from experience that at the beginning of the year it’s even difficult to simply drop the student off at school.

But as the weeks go on, people begin to adjust.

Still, there are a few tips Elder offered to make driving during the school year a little less complicated:

• First, reduce your speed and be attentive to the activities and potential hazards in school zones.

“With school zones or buses you always have the potential for kids to not be paying attention to traffic,” Elder said, adding it also could be the child’s first time at a bus stop, school building or even going to school. “We want drivers to use a little extra caution in these areas.”

• Make sure you know the rules behind stopping for a school bus.

There was a change in the law dealing with stopped school buses that says on a multilane highway — such as the Duncan Bypass in Union — motorists traveling in the opposite direction as the bus, or on the other side of the road, no longer have to stop for school buses.

However, as Elder reminded, those traveling the same way as the school bus must stop when it does and on two-lane roadways vehicles on both sides of the road must stop when a bus has its stop sign out and its lights flashing.

• Be patient.

“There’s a lot more traffic and changing traffic patterns until the school year really gets under way,” Elder said. “We don’t want any frustration to be a factor.”

The community relations officer said a motorist could do everything he or she is supposed to when it comes to a stopped bus, but because of a lack of time or other concern they could end up speeding through a school zone or worse.

Elder said leave yourself some extra time in the mornings and afternoons — especially if your route takes you into or around school zones. That could mean several hours before and after school; also, as students and children begin to participate in after-school events and activities.

He added bus routes are just now being formed and children are walking to school so it’s important for motorists to keep an eye out for changes to those types of patterns until they are well established.

“Anytime you come up to a school zone, you want to use caution,” Elder said.

• And finally, know that just because law enforcement isn’t present in a school zone or near a stopped bus that doesn’t mean they are far away.

“A lot of people think if there’s no law enforcement around they won’t get caught,” Elder said.

But that’s not the case.

SCHP and local law enforcement agencies are constantly monitoring motorists in and through school zones and other locations to keep students and others safe. In fact, bus drivers now can report incidents of motorists going around a stopped bus or other vehicle-related incidents and law enforcement will investigate.

“And we do investigate them,” Elder said. “We don’t treat it like a simple traffice violation.”

Fines in school zones and for violations concerning a stopped school bus are determined by a judge and can be higher than a normal ticket depending on the circumstances behind the violation.

The best way to keep yourself from getting a ticket or, worse yet, injuring someone when it comes to driving during the school year is to simply pay attention.

“Slow down, buckle up and be aware that we are in a school zone,” Elder said.