Police issuing back-to-school road safety reminders

This week and next, children will be returning to school and many will be busing, walking and riding their bikes to get there.

The Ottawa Police Service is reminding drivers and pedestrians to be aware of the increase of young people on city streets.  

As school begins, it wants residents to consider the following safety tips:

– Reduce speeds in school zones and be ready to stop at any time. Children do not always notice oncoming traffic;
– Obey school bus signals;
– Watch for pedestrian crossovers, know how they work, and obey them when in use;
– Walk on available sidewalks;
– Always cross at intersections, looking and listening for traffic and walk across only when road is clear and safe to do so;
– Follow adult crossing guards, student crossing patrols and school bus operator's signals; and,
– Always wear a helmet when riding a bike and walk your bike across a roadway.

Drivers are responsible for stopping in both directions, if on a road without a median, when they see a school bus stopped with its lights flashing. Fines for not obeying this law range from $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points.

“The return of children to school is always an adjustment for all road users,” said Cst. Jon Hall from the Ottawa Police Service Traffic Section. “For everyone's safety: drivers — make driving your number one priority; pedestrians and cyclists — be aware of your surroundings; and everyone — obey all rules of the road.”

More safety tips can be found at go to Back to School Safety.