Back To School Driving Tips

Students return to school on Wednesday, Sept. 1,?and drivers should expect increased traffic volume around schools. Back to school for thousands of students across Canada. As the summer holidays end, motorists need to keep a sharp eye out for students who may be cycling, walking, driving or traveling in any manner to school every day.

Students walking back to school

Please listen up:

·??Walk on the sidewalk, wherever it is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, always try and walk facing the traffic

·??Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if any traffic is approaching.

·??Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections (no exceptions)

·??Stay alert and avoid distracted walking. Never walk while texting. If you need to respond to a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk. Never cross the street while using an electronic device. Do not wear earbuds while walking across the street.

Safety Tips for Motorists

It is important that motorists be alert while driving, especially in school zones and residential neighborhoods. Children can be unpredictable and may ignore hazards and take risks.?

·?Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic

·In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection. Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign

·?Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas

·??Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way

·??Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians

If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car.?

Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children. It is illegal in all 50 states (USA) & all across Canada to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

·? If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop

·??The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus

·? When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist

·?The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist. Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially tend to do this

Always?watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars

?Motorists are also reminded that the Ontario & Canada Hands-Free Law requires drivers to stay off of all electronic devices when driving.

(Helpful back to school traffic tips also taken from: https://bedfordpdnews.com/2021/08/27/bedford-police-department-offers-back-to-school-safety-tips/)