HAWKESBURY MUNICIPAL O.P.P. MEDIA RELEASES DETACHMENT COMMANDER: S/SGT CLAUDE BOILEAU (613) 632 - 2729 FAX (613) 632 - 8621 CALL 1-888-310-1122 FOR POLICE DETACHMENT HOMEPAGE LINK	KEEPING YOU INFORMED KEEPING YOU SAFE
FROM/DE: Cst Pierre Dubois DATE: 31 Aug 2010 New School Year -School Bus Safety (Hawkesbury, Ontario) – Once again, the time has come for motorists to be on the lookout for our kids that are walking or biking the streets heading for school or taking bus. The Ontario Provincial police want to remind everyone that school buses are back on the local roads. Consequently, it is also a time that drivers should re-familiarize themselves with basic safety tips. There is a greater need for attention to the busier surroundings as parents drop off and pick up their children at school. Drivers have to be more cautious on the road to keep our kids safe. Acting-Inspector Claude Boileau, Interim Commander of the Hawkesbury OPP Detachment says: “OPP officers will be out on patrol to protect our children and ensuring that motorists are reminded of the rules of the road in regards to school buses.” A/Inspector Boileau wishes to remind that Section 175(11) of the Highway Traffic Act will be enforced. “Whether on a city street, highway or county road, and regardless of the speed limit and the number of lanes, motorists traveling in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. A flashing stop arm will swing out while passengers are boarding or leaving the bus. (The only exception: on highways separated by a median, traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop). Once all passengers have boarded, the STOP arm will fold away. Do not start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing and the bus begins to move”. PENALTIES FOR NOT STOPPING First offence: $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points Each subsequent offence: $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possible jail time up to six months. Since September 2005, owners of vehicles can also be charged for this offence. Here are a few tips for drivers and parents: ON THE ROAD Drivers should stop behind a school bus when the upper red lights begin to flash. Motorists traveling in both directions must stop for the school bus, except if the road is divided by a median. Slow down in school zones and be aware of child pedestrians. Wait for kids to complete their crossing safely. IN THE BUS Your child’s school bus safety can be improved by following a few simple steps: We urge parents to talk to their children about school bus rules. Remind them to wait for the school bus in a safe place, away from traffic and the street. Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter. When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus, out of the danger zone. Be aware of the traffic around you. Even though drivers are required to follow certain rules not all of them do. “Be alert and protect yourself!” For more road safety tips, visit www.OPP.ca - 30 - Contact: Constable Pierre Dubois Phone: 613-632-2729 (ext. 6155) FROM/DE: Highway Safety Division DATE: August 31, 2010 OPP STEPPING UP ENFORCEMENT for UPCOMING LABOUR DAY Weekend (ORILLIA, ON) – As the hot days of summer draw to a close and people prepare to celebrate the final long weekend of the season, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists and boaters traveling on OPP patrolled roadways, waterways and trails during the Labour Day weekend that they should not be taking any time off from thinking about safety. To this effect, OPP officers will be out in full force patrolling Ontario’s highways, waterways and trails targeting aggressive drivers and marine operators to ensure everyone’s safety. “We are asking everyone to join our efforts by acting responsibly while out enjoying the roads and waterways this upcoming holiday long-weekend” said OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis. “The OPP will continue to demonstrate our commitment to safe communities by being out in full force and targeting those who put others safety at risk”. Numerous lives have been lost on our roadways and waterways this summer. So far this year, 205 people have died in traffic related fatalities in Ontario on OPP patrolled roadways as compared to 199 in 2009. Marine fatalities are down in 2010 to 17 to date as compared to 27 in 2009. Despite this trend, the OPP continues to respond almost daily to calls from people in distress on our waterways. “The increase in the number of fatalities from last year causes the OPP great concern” said Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander responsible for OPP Traffic Safety Programs. “This is not acceptable and our stepped up patrols across the province will be addressing this issue by targeting the aggressive driving and boating behaviours that put the lives and safety of innocent people at risk.” The OPP is calling on all motorists and boaters to keep safety as a priority this long weekend. Slow down and be respectful of others. Leave some extra time to get to your destination and keep extra space between you and other vehicles or vessels. Let’s work together to make this final weekend of summer a safe one. - 30 - Contacts by OPP Region: Highway Safety Division: Sergeant Dave Woodford Phone: (416) 553-5471 Central Region: Sergeant Paulo DiFonte Phone: (705) 329-7415 East Region: Sergeant Kristine Rae Phone: (613) 284-4557 Northeast Region: Inspector Mark Andrews Phone: (705) 471-0704 Northwest Region: Sergeant Shelley Garr Phone: (807) 473-2734 West Region: Sgt Dave Rektor Phone: (519) 652-4156
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