Police Stress Safety as Students Head Back To School

Police across the region are reminding drivers to be extra cautious as the new school year begins Tuesday.

Many youngsters will be walking, riding bikes and taking buses to get to and from school, and motorists are urged to keep an eye out for youngsters on or near roadways.  Police will also be out in force, with an increased presence in and around school zones throughout Midwestern Ontario.

"No matter whether it's the beginning of the school year or whether it's the last day of the school year, there's zero tolerance for any offences for speeding or any traffic offences in and around the school zones," says Inspector Sam Theocharis of the Stratford Police Service. "We'll have a heightened visibility with our police officers, especially the first month or so of school."

Drivers are reminded not to pass school buses that are stopped with their alternating red lights flashing. Passing a school bus with red lights activated carries a fine of $490.00 and six demerit points.

Failing to stop for a crossing guard displaying a portable stop sign carries a fine of $180.00 and three demerit points. The fine doubles if in a designated Community Safety Zone.

Students may not always be focusing on traffic safety and motorists are encouraged to slow down and be alert.

Parents and caregivers of school-aged children are encouraged to discuss the following safe bike riding and walking rules with your children:

• Children should walk on sidewalks where available.
• Children should use the services of the crossing guard whenever available and cross at the intersection.
• Cyclists under 18 must wear an approved helmet.
• Always look both ways before crossing a roadway and remember to walk, not run across the roadway.
• Children need to watch for turning vehicles before crossing a roadway.
• Children should also avoid listening to music or using their mobile devices when cycling or walking on the roadway.
• Where possible, children should use the buddy system.

Motorists need to drive with particular care and attention in and around school zones.

Here are some back to school safety reminders for all drivers:

• Be aware and respect school zone signage.
• Always reduce your speed in school zones.
• Children will make mistakes - be prepared to stop at all times.
• Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding.
• Share the roadway with cyclists and pedestrians at all times. By law you must leave a 1 metre berth when passing a cyclist.
• Be prepared to stop for stopped school buses. If the overhead flashing signal lights are activated and the stop arm is out, drivers must come to a stop.
• Always leave the phone alone.

"We'll be increasing our enforcement and education around school zone areas, in particular those driving behaviours that put people at risk like excessive speed, distracted driving," says Acting Deputy Chief Vince Wurfel of the Owen Sound Police Service. "We still struggle with distracted driving, people using cell phones, and I'm sure we can all recall people pulling up to stop lights and seeing people using their cell phones or worse yet, even while they're driving."

With files from CKNX Reporter Craig Power.