School bells are ringing once again across the region, and police are reminding motorists that a little extra patience behind the wheel can go a long way in keeping students safe. As thousands of children head back to classrooms today, OPP are urging drivers to be on the lookout for increased pedestrian traffic, busy crosswalks and the familiar yellow school buses making their rounds. Police say motorists should remember a few key rules as the school year gets underway: Officers note that children can be unpredictable and may not always recognize traffic hazards, making driver attention especially important during the morning and afternoon school rush. Police across the region will be increasing patrols in school zones and other areas frequented by students in the days and weeks ahead. Enforcement efforts will focus on school bus violations, speeding, pedestrian safety and compliance with crossing guards. Police are also reminding motorists that failing to stop for a school bus or ignoring a crossing guard’s directions can result in substantial fines and penalties. Drivers are also reminded that it’s against the law to ignore a school crossing guard. As part of the Highway Traffic Act, where a school crossing guard displays a school crossing stop sign, the driver of any vehicle or streetcar approaching the school crossing guard shall stop before reaching the crossing and shall remain stopped until all persons, including the school crossing guard, have cleared the roadway and it is safe to proceed. Motorists that fail to stop for a school crossing guard stop sign face a fine of $365 and four demerit points upon conviction.
