It’s that time of year again, time when our children’s thoughts turn to going back to school and being reunited with their friends. However, with all that excitement our children’s thoughts aren’t always where they should be. That’s where it is even more imperative that motorists look out for the safety of our children.
The first week of school sees a huge increase in both pedestrian and vehicle traffic as elementary, junior and senior high school students along with university and other post-secondary students return to class.
Police remind you to do the following:
- With the increase in traffic give yourself extra time to get to where you need to go.
- Educate your children and yourself about how to cross the street.
- Look both ways.
- Use arm signals to announce your intention.
- Emphasize the importance of staying on the curb until vehicles have come to a complete stop.
- Don’t jaywalk with your children or encourage them to do so.
- Don’t park illegally, instead park in designated parent drop-off zones. Vehicles parked too close to intersections, crosswalks, and other restricted areas cause obstructions to sightlines.
- Limit driving distractions (e.g. cell phones, laptops, GPS devices, etc.) and focus on your driving.
- Watch your speed.
Police doing traffic enforcement in and around schools will be watching out for the following: U-turns, speeding, parking, seatbelts, pedestrian violations, child safety seats, and careless driving. Fines range from $89.00 for speed violations to $575.00 for failing to yield to a pedestrian or a vehicle already stopped for a pedestrian.