With thousands of children heading back to school Tuesday, the Windsor Police Service has some ideas how parents can keep their little ones safe.
Police concede most people have not thought a lot about school buses or the large number of kids that will be walking to school, and officers remind the public road safety is a shared responsibility.
School Crossing. Photo submitted by Sarnia Police Service.
With that in mind, police recommend that parents tell their children to use the sidewalk whenever possible and cross at intersections. If your child will be riding their bike, wear a helmet and walk the bike across the intersections. Make sure you review school bus boarding tips with your child, and always, walk. Do not run.
As for drivers, pay particular attention to what is going on around you in school zones. Officers will be making their presence known in those areas, and will aggressively enforce any violations.
Drivers are asked to lower their speed in school zones, be prepared to stop at all times, watch for crossing guards and school buses. If a school bus has its overhead red lights flashing, stop 20 meters before the bus and do not pass it.
The fine for passing a school bus when its lights are flashing ranges from $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points for a first offence. For each subsequent offence the fine ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possibly up to six months in jail.