Kids head back to school on Sept. 8, and the sidewalks and crosswalks will once again be filled with children.
Motorists are reminded that these children will be waiting for school buses, or walking and riding their bicycles to school.
As part of our twelve month high visibility program, officers from the Traffic Management Unit will be patrolling school zones, and enforcing speed limits.
The GSPS will also be following school buses to ensure drivers are obeying the rules of the road, especially failing to stop for flashing red signal lights on school buses.
Drivers are urged to be attentive and alert when travelling on local roadways. Expect slight delays as school buses stop to pick up and discharge their precious cargo. Allow for extra time to get to your destination, especially in the morning and afternoon.
Increase your eye lead and be aware of all traffic around you at all times so you are prepared if need be to stop safely for a school bus or that child who darts out from the curb expectantly.
Although the following tips apply to all pedestrians and cyclists, we are asking all parents / guardians and teachers to review the following safety tips with their children / students:
Pedestrians of all ages are reminded to:
- Stop, Look and Listen for traffic
- Wait for the pedestrian walk lights
- Walk on sidewalks where available
- Cross only at cross walks and keep your head up at all times
- Make eye contact with drivers if possible as you cross an intersection
- Wear reflective clothing at night
- Avoid distractions while walking or riding such as using cell phones or other entertainment devices
- Cross only when roadways are clear
- Obey crossing guards where available
Cyclists are reminded to:
- Wear a helmet; it may save your life
- Abide by the rules of the road
- Use hand signals
- Wear reflective clothing
- Utilize proper lighting on your bike
- Avoid distractions while riding such as using cell phones or other entertainment devices
Traffic Management Unit officers will be working in collaboration with CP Police, looking for high risk driving behaviors in the area of highway-railway crossings and rights of way.
Particular attention will be paid to school zones, and our focus will be on drivers that disobey railway crossing signals, stopping in the wrong place, speeding and U-turns on or near railway crossings.
Additional enforcement will take place with regards to pedestrians and cyclists who are trespassing on railway property, disobeying railway crossing signals and failing to yield right of way to approaching trains.
The goal of the above initiative is to enforce traffic related offences and encourage a higher level of awareness for those who may jeopardize the safe return of students back to school.
