Grey County Ontario Provincial Police reminds motorists that school buses are returning to area roads soon. Motorists should be aware of the expected increase in pedestrians, cyclists and school buses, and give themselves extra commuting time. Students will no doubt be excited and may forget many of the safety rules required for safe travels.

Follow the rules of the road - motorists encountering a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing shall stop before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead red signal-lights have stopped flashing.

Drivers should also be prepared to yield to student pedestrians and cyclists. Parents of students who will be walking or cycling to school are encouraged to speak with their children about the rules of the road that apply to them.

Drivers are encouraged to:

-Take extra care when driving by parked cars
-Be aware of school zones and reduce your speed
-Travel through intersections slowly
-Be patient as children cross the road
-Obey crossing guards instructions
-Make eye contact with the children wanting to cross at the intersection
-Obey all bus signals and never try to pass when they are stopped.
-Give yourself extra commuting time

When crossing the road, students are encouraged to:

-Look both ways before crossing
-Be aware of traffic by seeing and listening
-Walk, don't run
-When possible, cross at a location where there is a crossing guard, or with a parent or a buddy
-When biking, always follow the rules of the road and wear proper safety equipment.

The OPP want drivers and students to have a safe and enjoyable back to school experience.

source: media release, Grey County OPP