DPS/CKDR Files
The new school year is underway and the Dryden Police Service is out with some back to school safety reminders.
With school buses picking up passengers again, children hurrying to get to school on bikes or on foot and parents dropping their kids, Dryden Police say it’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention, especially before and after school.
To ensure a safe return to school, the DPS offers these tips:
1. Observe Speed Zones – Children crossing the road on their way to and from school can easily get distracted and step into harm’s way. Slowing down and being vigilant is crucial to keeping kids safe. Children are often out throughout the day at recess, lunch and for certain classes, so it is important to drive slowly through the day.
A reminder that Parkdale Avenue between Memorial Avenue and the west entrance to Park Crescent has a reduced speed limit of 40-kilometers an hour from 8am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
2. Obey the Crossing Guard – a Crossing Guard is there to keep children safe. If you come up to a Crossing Stop and the Crossing Guard has displayed their Stop Sign, do not proceed until the Crossing Guard has lowered their sign and exited the Cross Walk. Be patient.
3. Watch for Darting Children – Kits are small and easily distracted, and for drivers, this can create dangerous situations on the roads. Be vigilant and alert behind the wheel. You never know when a small child might step out from between parked cars or off a sidewalk.
4. School Buses – Most mishaps take place outside the bus. Make sure children don’t arrive too early at the bus stop where they can wander or get into mischief. Make sure children wait well away from the road and stay back until the school bus makes a full stop so the driver can see them. When driving your car near a school bus, please note that extra caution is required. Do not pass a school bus when the signal lights are flashing and drive slowly as a general precaution.
