NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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The Nottawasaga detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) had the pleasure of working with the crossing guards for a training session.
The Nottawasaga detachment hosted a training session last week to prepare the crossing guards for the upcoming school year.
The priority for all is to ensure public awareness and safety for both drivers and pedestrians.
The Highway Traffic Act, Section 176(3), states:
“Where a school crossing guard displays a school crossing stop sign as provided in subsection (2), 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.”
The most common errors at school crossings include:
- Drivers not coming to a full stop
- Drivers turning right at intersections when the school crossing guard is still in the intersection
- Drivers proceeding before the school crossing guard has completely cleared the roadway
- Driver inattentiveness and driver distraction
Friendly reminders for pedestrians and parents:
- Cross only at marked crosswalks or traffic lights
- Make sure drivers see you before you cross; make eye contact
- Wear bright clothing or reflective strips
Members of the Nottawasaga detachment will be actively patrolling the schools in our area. Road safety is a shared responsibility. We all must do our part to keep everyone safe.
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