Police reminding drivers to watch out for students

September 14, 2015 · 0 Comments

With another school year started, there is no more important time than now for officers within the Central Region of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to urge drivers to slow down and to watch for school buses and walking students in an effort to keep children safe.
Police would like to take this time to remind motorists to pay close attention when meeting or following a school bus. Motorists in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended and flashing red lights and cannot start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been retracted.
Patience on the part of drivers is encouraged, as many young children will be taking the bus for the first time. This means they might require extra time boarding and departing the bus until they are familiar with the routine.
Many communities in the region have children that walk to school.
“Parents are encouraged to remind their children how to walk to and from school safely,” Acting Chief Superintendent Rose DiMarco said. “It is imperative for drivers to be cautious of increased pedestrian traffic in school zones . . . throughout the school year.”
Police also remind motorists travelling through school zones to be extra vigilant and mindful that the school crossing guard will return to the areas for those students who require the assistance in heavy traffic areas.
Officers will be paying special attention to school zones in their patrol areas and will closely be watching to make sure that every child has the opportunity to safely arrive at school and home each day.