Police in Waterloo region remind commuters of traffic safety rules as students head back to school

Following a staff PA Day after the Labour Day long weekend, majority of students in Waterloo region and Guelph return to the classroom Wednesday. 

While students will face new restrictions regarding cell phones and vapes in the classroom, regional police are reminding people outside of the school to have patience as increased traffic is anticipated.

"You're going to see a lot more traffic on the sidewalks and on the road," explained Const. Chris Iden, a public information officer with Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS). 

"We're looking at a lot more bus traffic in the area as well so we want to make sure people are aware of the rules and laws."

Iden is reminding drivers that when a school bus stops with its flashing lights and stop sign out, drivers must stop and wait with no exceptions. 

Iden says given the size of a school bus there's a lack of visibility for children potentially crossing the road. 

"Even if it's multiple lanes, you listen and pay attention to the bus lights," Iden said. "It's a pretty high fine and you're looking at some serious points. We don't need anything bad to happen when it's completely avoidable."

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Pedestrian traffic

The roads aren't the only place where residents may see an increase of traffic. Many students may be walking to school with their family.

The city of Kitchener sent out a release in an effort to eliminate serious injuries and deaths in the community. 

Specifically at pedestrian crossings, the city says:

• When you drive or ride up to a crossover and there are pedestrians waiting to cross, you must stop.

• Pedestrians have the right of way whether flashing lights are on or not. Make sure you wait until they have fully crossed the road before proceeding. 

"What's important for anybody who's walking, especially for the young ones, is to have that conversation with your parents. Know where you're going and stay safe," said Iden.

He adds there may be areas without sidewalks but there are still parts of the roads pedestrians can travel on to stay safe.

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Crossing guards

To help facilitate pedestrian safety, crossing guards will be present before and after school at some crosswalks.

In the release, the city of Kitchener says when you see a crossing guard on duty:

• Slow down as you approach.

• Come to a complete stop when the crossing guard raises the stop paddle.

• Please wait until all children and the crossing guard have cleared the entire roadway before proceeding. 

"Our crossing guards are suited up and ready for the new season," said Community & Infrastructure Services Committee chair, Margaret Johnston in the release. "They're there to help our little ones get to school safely, and you can help them by following the crossing guard's instructions to stop."

A notion that Iden wholeheartedly agrees with. 

He says the guards are the ones in control of that spot to eliminate confusion as to who has the right of way. 

"Make sure that you're crossing at the safe points and using those crossing guards and crosswalks," said Iden. 

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School zone speeds

Despite traveling on the same roads during the summer, a new speed limit may be in effect for certain school zones around the region. 

Although drivers may feel the 30 km/hr is excessively slow, police say "if you're driving slow, you're driving in control."

"You should be driving slow enough to know what the timelines are because some of them may change between certain hours," said Iden. "What may have been a 50 km/hr zone in the summertime will now be reduced down to a 40."

Iden adds there will be an increase in speed enforcement radar devices.

Meanwhile, the Kitchener's city release says:

• School zones do not allow parking or stopping for drop-off. Bylaw enforcement takes a zero-tolerance approach in school zones for the sake of student's safety.

• School zones in Kitchener have a posted speed limit for a reason — staying under that speed means that collisions are much less likely to result in serious injury.