Police stress safety on the roads ahead of back to school
With students heading back to the classroom this coming week across Simcoe Muskoka, police are reminding motorists, and young pedestrians themselves, to take extra care out on the roadways.
After a year that saw much of in-person learning cancelled, keeping students at home, Barrie police say they expect a more significant adjustment than usual to the return to school.
"The kids have been out of the school for eight months if you really look at the math," says Constable Dong Langdon of the Barrie Police Traffic Unit. "Now that everyone's back out and going back to school and having in-person classrooms, the pedestrian traffic is going to explode starting on Tuesday, and motorists have to be aware that there's going to be a lot more people using the roadway other than them."
The speed limit in Barrie is predominantly 50 km/h. However, in community safety zones, that is dropped to 40 km/h while students are in class. Langdon says all students crossing the street must do so at the proper locations and use the light signals if available.
"What motorists have to be aware is we will be out fully enforcing," says Langdon. "Every September we get out there, our entire traffic unit's out there with the mandate that we want to keep our students safe. We are going to enforce."
With school buses returning to the roadways, Langdon says motorists must abide by the proper regulations.
The officer tells CTV News the four-lane Dunlop street is often a source of trouble for traffic officers, saying many drivers on the outer lanes don't feel they need to stop.
"When you are behind a school bus, expect it to stop," says Langdon. "Expect the flashing stop signs to come out. You cannot pass a school bus when the lights are flashing, and the stop sign's extended, and that goes for all lanes of traffic."
For those students who choose to bike to school, Langdon stresses following the essential safety tips. All bicycle riders must be wearing their helmet, be using a bell or horn and have a reflector to increase visibility.
Langdon says those cyclists who use the roadway must be riding with traffic at the outermost right edge of the road.
"Motorists have to be aware that bicycles are going to fly through crosswalks," says Langdon. "As you pull up to a crosswalk, and you think the way is clear, take an extra look because kids on bicycles like to ride fast, and next thing you know, a bicycle is in front of you."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.