(HURON COUNTY, ON) Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers will be out on patrol this week and throughout the school year to ensure back to school time is safe for everyone.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take the time to have a safety talk with their children. A few minutes reinforcing some basic safety points could mean the difference between life and death.
If you are under the age of 18 and are riding a bicycle on public property, you are required by law to wear a properly fitted and fastened bike helmet. Cyclists must obey the same rules of the roadway that other vehicles do. Remind children to keep their eyes and ears open as sometimes vehicle drivers don’t see children on bicycles.
Pedestrians should use sidewalks where possible and where there are none, walk as far off onto the shoulder of the roadway as possible facing traffic. Both pedestrians and cyclists should make use of the crossing guards and cross walks to get safely across the street.
When motorists see a school bus stopped on the roadway with its red lights activated and “Stop†sign out, they must come to a complete stop in-front of and /or behind the bus. Motorists must not pass the stopped bus until the stop arm is retracted and the red lights are turned off. The fine for passing a school bus is $490.00 and the driver is subject to 6 demerit points if convicted. Liability to failing to stop for a school bus rests on the owner of the vehicle.
Motorists must also slow down in School Safety Zones and be prepared to stop for crossing guards. Leave more time for your drive to work as you may encounter school buses along your route.
Huron County OPP is asking you to do your part to make sure this year’s back to school season is safe for our children.