FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 18, 2020 4:05pm

(Ottawa) — This week, the Ottawa Police’s Traffic Unit, along with Frontline and Neighbourhood Resource Team Officers, conducted enforcement in school zones, resulting in the ticketing of 126 speeders, 10 drivers who failed to stop at a stop sign, and issued four tickets for school bus infractions.

This morning, a school bus driver was caught speeding, at 59 km/h in a 40 km/h zone near Jeanne D’Arc Blvd.

Drivers are reminded to remain vigilant before and after school and in school zones.

For more road safety tips, go to Back to School Safety.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 11, 2020 4:30pm

Week one results -- Back to school road safety enforcement

(Ottawa)—Today, the Ottawa Police Traffic Unit along with Frontline and Neighborhood Resource Team Officers completed their first week of Back to School Road Safety enforcement.

A total of 91 drivers were stopped for Speeding and 38 drivers Failed to stop at a stop sign in various school zones across the City this week.

This morning, a driver was stopped and charged, going 104 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. Officers charged two drivers for driving while suspended and another driver was charged for driving under a lifetime driving ban. This driver had been prohibited from driving since 2007.

Ottawa Police Traffic will continue to conduct enforcement in school areas throughout the start of the school year.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, August 28, 2020 8:30am

Back to School road safety reminders for children and adults

(Ottawa)— The Ottawa Police Service is reminding drivers and residents to make safety their priority as children return to school.

This year, there is a stronger focus on getting to school by walking and cycling and an expected increase in the number of children being dropped off at school by personal vehicles. It’s important that all drivers are aware of their surroundings, watch for vulnerable road users, slow down and drive according to the law.

“The return to school is always an adjustment for all road users and we want to make sure everyone is ready,” said Staff Sergeant Peter McKenna, head of the Ottawa Police Service Traffic Unit. “Expect the roads and school zones to be busier than they’ve been for a while. Be aware of your surroundings and obey all rules of the road makes it safer for everyone.”

In order to make safe commuting your priority, please consider the following safety tips:

Reduce speeds in school zones and be ready to stop at any time. Children do not always notice oncoming traffic;

Obey school bus signals;

Watch for pedestrian crossovers, know how they work and obey them when in use;

Walk on available sidewalks;

Always cross at intersections, looking and listening for traffic and walk across only when road is clear and safe to do so;

Follow adult crossing guards, student crossing patrols and school bus operator’s signals; and,

Always wear a helmet when riding a bike and walk your bike across a roadway.

“Children are smaller, making them harder to see and they may move unpredictably,” said S/Sgt. McKenna. “Drivers need to be even more vigilant before and after school and in school zones.”

Enforcement

Ottawa Police will be conducting enforcement in school areas throughout the start of the school year.

When they see a school bus stopped with its lights flashing, drivers are responsible for stopping in both directions if on a road without a median. Fines for not obeying this law range from $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points.

Some buses are equipped with cameras to catch drivers who illegally pass the vehicles when the lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.

A reminder to drivers, photo radar devices are present in some school zones. Avoid a ticket by driving the speed limit.

For more road safety tips, go to Back to School Safety.

You can also find public health tips for Back to School during COVID.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366