Seneca Valley School District officials have "strongly recommended" that all students ride school buses because of the Harmony Junction Bridge project and the traffic snarls it might create when classes begin on Sept. 3.

Some people might wonder why, if such traffic problems are expected, the district hasn't adopted a temporary policy significantly limiting students driving to school this year — or prohibiting student vehicles.

It's a good question.

According to an article in Thursday's Butler Eagle, the bridge-replacement project won't be finished until after the coming school year ends. The question can be asked why the school district has decided to allow the traffic snarls that are expected to occur when there is such an easy alternative.

Another good question is why additional pressure is being placed on local police departments to deal with problems when the district has the power to avert that pressure.

It wouldn't be the proverbial "end of the world" if all students who planned to drive to school this year were required to ride a bus. It also wouldn't be the end of the world if the parents who routinely drive their children to school, without any real necessity, didn't do so this year.

Thursday's Eagle article mentioned some of the police preparations for the start of school.

Jackson Township Police Chief Len Keller said his department would have additional patrol officers to monitor major intersections.

Zelienople Police Chief Jim Miller said his department's officers would be checking the major borough intersections for any traffic problems. He said once the traffic flow is determined, traffic light timing could be adjusted, if needed, to help with flow along Main Street in the borough.

Meanwhile, the article reported that the state police would help provide traffic enforcement in Jackson Township and Harmony, starting with the exit ramp onto Route 68 off Interstate 79.

Linda Andreassi, district communications director, said, "The delays at the secondary level could possibly create a domino effect and cause delays with pickup and drop-off at the elementary level."

That's another reason why the school board and administration should have opted for a more sensible approach to the issue.

Keller said there would be zero tolerance for traffic infractions. He said officers would be looking for aggressive driving, speeding and faillure to stop at stop signs.

According to Rich Crown, Jackson Township manager, township police usually handle one or two accidents a week involving student drivers. He said the township police department was bracing for a greater number of such incidents as a result of the bridge closing and detours.

If police are answering accident calls, whether school-related or not, they can't be monitoring the traffic flow.

Much time and preparation have gone into something for which an easy solution was available. By ignoring it, district officials undoubtedly have avoided much criticism from those who prefer not to ride the buses, as well as from some of their parents. But, in the process, they've opted for what could end up being a more dangerous and problem-filled situation.

Disappointments are a part of life — a part of growing up. Requiring that all students ride buses this school year — except in special, closely monitored circumstances — would be a minor disappointment or inconvenience for most students.

Rather than strongly recommending travel by bus, the district should have mandated it.