On Sept. 2 summer vacation for students will come to an end and another school year for the children of Wellington County will begin.
County OPP want to remind residents that everyone shares the responsibility of ensuring the safety of children travelling to and from school.
OPP will be proactive during the first week of school, providing extra patrols near school zones and routes that students would take to and from school.
Officers will be focusing on offences such as speeding, failing to stop at stop signs, failing to yield to pedestrians and parking violations.
Officers will also be patrolling the highways and ensuring that drivers are stopping in both directions for school buses when red lights are flashing.
“Officers will be paying extra attention near school zones and our goal is to ensure the safe arrival and departure for each child,” said OPP Staff Sergeant Krista Miller.
“We are asking that motorists exercise vigilance and patience in school zones in order to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Police offer the following student safety tips:
– walk on sidewalks where available;
– always cross at intersections;
– when riding a bicycle always wear a helmet;
– always walk your bicycle across the roadway;
– stop before stepping onto the road;
– look for eye contact with the drivers of motor vehicles;
– look in all directions before crossing the road;
– stop, look and listen for traffic;
– cross safely when it is safe and continue to look in all directions;
– wait for the pedestrian walk sign;
– look for eye contact with motorists;
– stop, look and listen for traffic;
– look all ways for traffic;
– cross the road safely when the road is clear; and
– walk, don’t run, across the road.
Tips for drivers:
– be aware of school zones, respect the speed limits and do not pass other vehicles;
– be prepared to stop at any time;
– obey traffic signs and rules of the road;
– do not be a distracted driver;
– look to have eye contact with pedestrians;
– take your time when leaving or entering a driveway;
– stop when directed by a crossing guard; and
– watch for school bus flashing red lights and “stop” arms, and do not start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing, the “stop” arm folds away, and the bus starts to move.
