A new school year is kicking off on Tuesday across Ontario.
As thousands of students in Windsor-Essex return to class following summer break, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Essex County have again reminded residents of the importance of safety.
"As students head back to school, safety in our communities is a shared responsibility," said Essex County OPP Detachment Commander Superintendent Mark Loucas. "Drivers must stay alert, patient, and show courtesy around school zones. With increased foot traffic and school buses on the road, let's work together to make the start of the school year both fun and safe for everyone."
Drivers are urged to be extra careful in school zones by staying off devices and obeying the lower speed limits, as students will arrive on foot and on bicycles.
Drivers must stop for school buses that are flashing their amber lights and activating their stop signs. Passing a stopped school bus is not only dangerous. It is also illegal. Fines ranging from $400 to $2,000 are possible upon conviction, plus six demerit points.
Parents are encouraged to go over bus safety rules with their kids and remind them to stay seated while the bus is moving, waiting for the bus to stop completely before getting on or off, cross streets at corners, and only when it is safe to do so. Obey crosswalks and crossing guards.
If kids ride their bicycles to school, helmets are a must, along with following the rules of the road.
OPP patrol officers will be on the job across Windsor-Essex as classes begin, with extra patrols along bus routes and in school zones.
