Back To School Safety Tips By Regional Police Forces

Homes will finally be quiet throughout the day as a new school year has arrived.

However, as Constable Brittany Bembeneck of the Provincial Police in Dryden reminds us, area streets and school zones will be bustling with activity.

Bembeneck advises parents to drive slowly in school zones and be vigilant, especially if it is during the time kids are walking to or from school.

She also notes a fine of up to two thousand dollars, as well as six demerit points, can be handed out for drivers who fail to stop for a school bus.

In 2018, the OPP laid more than 180 charges against drivers for failing to stop for school buses.

The OPP also investigated 304 school bus collisions last year, 76 of which were attributed to motorists or school bus drivers who were engaged in some form of distraction.

There have been 158 school bus collisions so far this year, with 37 of the incidents linked to motorists or school bus drivers who failed to give driving their undivided attention.

With more on that the Dryden Police Service also have some safety tips for residents and drivers.

Dryden Police are reminding drivers to pay attention for crossing guards and obey the guards when they raise their stop signs.

Drivers are warned to watch out for children potentially darting off of the sidewalk or out from between vehicles.

Police also warn parents to make sure their children stay back from a school bus and wait for the bus to make a full stop before trying to get on.