Many students accustomed to walking back and forth to Dufferin Community School, Hillcrest Community School and West Hill Secondary School may notice a change next week. Effective Monday, February 3rd, 2014 the City of Owen Sound is placing a School Crossing Guard at 3rd Avenue West at 9th Street West. The Crossing Guard will be assisting students to get safely to school from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and safely home from school from 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Motorists using this intersection, previously occupied by School Safety Patrollers, may have a learning curve as they adjust to the Crossing Guard’s presence. Crossing Guards are governed by Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. When approaching a Crossing Guard with a raised school crossing stop sign, motorists are required to stop until all pedestrians and the Crossing Guard have completed crossing. This includes right turns. The Crossing Guard’s portable stop sign has the same authority as a regular stop sign. Motorists charged with Failing to Obey a School Crossing Stop Sign are subject to a penalty of three demerit points and a $180 fine. Uniform patrol officers have been directed to monitor compliance.
All motorists are being reminded to be patient, courteous and safe drivers, remaining increasingly aware of school children and Crossing Guards at all 16 of the city’s crossings.