There is a learning curve for motorists as kids head back to school on Tuesday.
South Simcoe Police will have all available officers assigned to schools in Innisfil and Bradford through Friday to help ensure the return to classes goes smoothly and safely.
Sgt. Jason VanderSar says "All Hands on Deck" concentrates not only on drivers, but pedestrians and cyclists in school zones and surrounding areas.
The return to school, says VanderSar, means people need to change their mindset and their driving habits.
"There's going to be kids that are going to have excitement in their minds and they may want to rush and not pay attention to safety and things like that. They may suddenly rush onto the road or break off from their parents, especially the younger ones."
Anyone who has driven in a school zone before classes begin in the morning and end in the afternoon can attest to how chaotic things can get.
"We've noticed over the years an increase in parental drop-off, and in that instance, we have parking issues and complaints," according to VanderSar. "It's very congested around schools and we've seen tempers get elevated."
The speed limit in most school safety zones in Innisfil and Bradford is 40 km/h. Motorists who get caught speeding in them will be in for a rude awakening as fines are doubled.
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Joining motorists on the roads will be school buses. VanderSar says buses actually have two sets of lights that drivers need to be aware of.
"There's an amber set of lights that will be turned on by the bus driver when an impending stop is coming up. Once the bus stops, then the amber lights will switch over to red and the stop arm will come. That's when drivers are obligated to stop."
The fine structure for passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing starts at $400 and can go up to $2,000, and VanderSar says it's doubled that in a school safety zone, not to mention the six demerit points the driver loses.
"We encourage parents and caregivers to discuss safety precautions with their children as the school year beings. To help make the transition smoother, consider giving yourself extra time and avoid last-minute rushes when dropping off children," police stated in a news release.
