SPRINGFIELD | The Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Transportation are working together to remind drivers that school has started and more than 2 million children will be sharing area roads.

The transportation department is flashing messages on its changeable message boards -- such as the one spanning Ill. 394 -- reminding drivers that school is back in session.

Last year, nearly 100 children 5 to 18 years old were killed and nearly 12,000, most within the same age range, were injured in crashes in which they were either a car passenger, a pedestrian or a bicyclist, according to a news release.

"The start of the school year means that drivers will need to pay attention and look for school buses and watch for students, especially in the morning and afternoon in and around school zones," state Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch said in the release.

"Our students will be walking and riding their bikes to school, so we're asking motorists to please give them a brake."

During the weeks surrounding the Labor Day holiday weekend, the transportation department is displaying the message, "Kids are back in school. Give 'em a brake."

The department has 55 changeable message signs in the state.