A reminder to motorists with school back in session for another year, there will be an increased amount of traffic including cyclists and pedestrians. Allow yourself some extra time to get to and from your destination. Be aware of the pedestrian crosswalks and corridors and generally allow for cyclists and pedestrians crossing at all intersections. We remind students and everyone operating bikes or e-scooters, to follow the rules of the road, stopping at stop signs, riding on the right side of the street and using hand signals. Extra caution should always be taken traveling in and around school zones, with the reduced school zone speeds being 30km/hr. Be aware of school buses preparing to stop as well. Motorists are required to stop when the emergency lights on school buses are activated, both following and approaching school buses. Drivers are reminded that they are to stop no less than 5 metres from the school bus when it’s lights are activated and remain stopped until the lights are shut off. One must wait until the emergency lights are deactivated before travel may be resumed. The fine for passing a school bus is $672.00 and demerit points.
The crossing guards at our schools and various locations, play an important role in the safety of the students coming to and leaving school. Each year, we get several complaints of drivers failing to comply with the crossing guards signals – driving through the intersection while students are in the middle of crossing, failing to stop at stop signs, and generally traveling at speeds or in a manner that is unsafe. Again, we ask that motorist be extra cautious in the school zones and help keep our community safe!
