SCHOOL SAFETY

Drivers - always stop for the bus

Whether on a city street, highway or county road, and regardless of the speed limit and the number of lanes, motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. A flashing stop arm will swing out while passengers are boarding or leaving the bus. (The only exception: on highways separated by a median, traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop). Once all passengers have boarded, the STOP arm will fold away. Do not start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing and the bus begins to move.
PENALTIES FOR NOT STOPPING
First offence: $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points
Each subsequent offence: $1,000 to $4,000, and six demerit points
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Kids - staying safe on and around the bus

School bus travel is extremely safe. In Ontario, over 800,000 students are transported daily in school buses that travel 1.9 million kilometres every school day. Although injuries to school bus passengers are rare, they most often happen outside the bus as students are boarding and leaving the bus or crossing the street. Remember these tips:
• Be at the school bus stop on time.
• Wait in a safe place well back from the edge of the road.
• Do not play in ditches or on snowbanks.
• Enter the bus in single file holding the hand rail.
• Find a seat right away and stay seated facing forward at all times.
• Do not place things in the aisle.
• Avoid rowdy behaviour. Do not throw things or eat or drink.
• Keep your arms and head inside the bus.
• Never distract the bus driver. Always follow his or her instructions.
• When you leave the bus, move away from the side. If you can touch the bus, you are too close.
• If you drop something near the bus, never try to pick it up because it’s quite likely the bus driver can't see you. Ask an adult or the driver to help.
When crossing the street to get on or off the bus:
• Walk at least 10 big steps in front of the bus, along the side of the road and look at the driver for a signal before crossing.
• Look all ways before crossing the road.
• Walk, never run, to where your parent or caregiver is waiting for you on the side of the road where the bus stops

Back to School Safety

“Back to School” Tips For Parents, Caregivers and Children:

Many children are walking and biking to school. Younger children often lack the skills to negotiate traffic safely. Help them by stressing the following safety rules:
• Walk on sidewalks where available.
• Always cross at intersections.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
• Always walk your bicycle across a roadway.
When crossing intersections without signals or crossing guards, children should:
• Stop before stepping into the road
• Increase your visibility and indicate your crossing intention to motorists
• Look in all directions before crossing
• Stop, Look and Listen for traffic
• Cross safely when the road is clear
• Walk, don’t run, across the road
• Where possible, use the buddy system

When crossing intersections with signals, children should:
• Push the pedestrian button (where they exist)
• Wait for the pedestrian walk sign
• Increase visibility and indicate your cross intention to motorists
• Stop, Look and Listen for traffic
• Watch for turning cars or trucks
• Cross safely when the road is clear
• Walk, don’t run across the road
When crossing with the assistance of adult crossing guards and student safety patrollers:
• Cross only under the direction of the guard
Railway Crossings:
• Many children in our communities must cross railway tracks daily. Ensure children are taught the only safe place to cross railway tracks is at a designated crossing.
For Drivers:
Back to school means more children walking and biking on our roads. Younger children often have limited experience with traffic and lack the skills to negotiate traffic safely. Motorists need to take special care while driving. Help our children walk safely to school by following these important safety rules:
• Be aware of school zone signage.
• Reduce speed in school zones.
• Be ready to stop at all times. Children do not always notice oncoming traffic.
• Always try to make eye contact with children waiting to cross the road.
• Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding.
• Stop when directed to do so by a crossing guard.