With students across Niagara heading back to school this week, the Niagara Regional Police Service is reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert around school buses, crossing guards and school zones.
NRPS Constable Richard Hingley says drivers should pay close attention to school bus warning lights. Amber lights mean a bus is preparing to stop, while flashing red lights and an extended stop arm mean drivers must stop and remain stopped. Drivers approaching from the opposite direction on an undivided multi-lane road must also stop, while drivers behind a bus should leave about 20 metres of space.
Hingley says ignoring a school bus stop can result in heavy fines and six demerit points, while school zones and crossing guards also require extra attention. Drivers must wait until a crossing guard has completely cleared the roadway before proceeding.
Parents also have a role to play in keeping kids safe on their way to and from school. Hingley recommends practicing basic road safety with children, including using marked crosswalks, looking both ways before crossing and avoiding running between parked cars. Kids riding bikes or skateboards should also be wearing their helmets and other safety equipment.
Hingley says the goal isn't to hand out tickets - it's to make sure everyone gets to and from school safely.
For drivers, the message is simple: slow down, put the phone away, watch for children and crossing guards, and give yourself that extra second to make sure the road is clear.
(Written by: Matt Latour)