
Tips for parents and students:
Consider
posting these safety tips somewhere in your home and review them with
your kids— even older children need to be reminded about road safety.
- Remove
your headphones and put away your phone, MP3 player or other gadgets
when crossing a street. Focus your full attention on the road so
you can see, hear and respond safely.
- Use
designated crossing points and follow pedestrian traffic signs and
signals. Make eye contact with drivers so you both know you see each
other. The most common road safety error made by kids is not
finding a safe place to cross. Teach your child to cross at
intersections that have a pedestrian crossing light or a marked
crosswalk whenever possible.
- Dress to be
seen. Wear bright or light coloured clothing. In dark or bad
weather, wear reflective material on clothes or accessories.
- Always
walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk—away from the road. This
way, you’re further away from the traffic. If there is no
sidewalk, always walk facing traffic so you can see oncoming
vehicles and drivers can see you.
- Be aware of
parked vehicles in parking lots and on the road. Drivers may not
see you between parked vehicles and you may not see them moving. Before
crossing or walking through a parking lot, stop and look around the parked vehicle and avoid taking
unnecessary shortcuts through parking lots.
Tips for drivers:
When
school is in session, a 30-km per hour school zone speed limit is in effect
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every school day, unless otherwise posted. Also,
remember that vehicles approaching from both directions must stop for
school buses when their lights are flashing.
- Plan ahead
and be alert. Driving routes with less traffic in the summer may now
face congestion, so give yourself extra time to get to your
destination. Take your time and don't rush - especially through
intersections. Look for children especially near or around
crosswalks and intersections.
- Always yield to pedestrians (it’s the law).
- When
dropping off children in a school zone stop and allow them to
exit onto the sidewalk side of the car. Never allow a child to
cross mid-block.
- If a vehicle is stopped in front
of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding for a
pedestrian, so be prepared to stop.
- Always watch
for pedestrians when you’re backing up. Before you get into your
vehicle, make it a habit to walk around your vehicle to ensure no small
kids are behind it. And remember, children will notice your
driving behaviour, so set an example and drive smart.