Hitting the Books With a Lesson in Road Safety

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 26, 2011) - With millions of students across Ontario enjoying the last days of their summer vacation as they prepare to head back to school, CAA North & East Ontario (CAANEO) is reminding motorists to study up on school bus safety. Regardless of if you're in the city or the country, under Ontario law motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching a school bus with its upper red lights flashing.

Failure to stop for a school bus can be a costly decision. For a first offense, drivers face a fine between $400 and $2,000 and the loss of six demerit points off their licence. Each subsequent offence brings fines ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, as well as six demerit points and the possibility of serving up to six months in jail.

Motorists are also reminded that roadways in a designated school zone have a speed limit of 40 km/h. Drivers who exceed this speed limit by 16-29 km/h can lose three demerit points and be forced to pay a fine, while those found to be going 50 km/h over the speed limit will be faced with the loss of six demerit points, a suspended licence and a fine of up to $10,000 under the Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act.

Around local schools, watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers wearing bright green vests at crosswalks. The CAA School Safety Patrol Program consists of thousands of patrollers across the country who are dedicated to making sure students have a safe commute to and from school.

"More than 800,000 students in Ontario travel by school bus daily, which is why it is imperative that motorists are aware of the precautions to keep these children safe," said Korey Kennedy, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for CAANEO. "CAA North & East Ontario is committed to promoting safe travels for students and all motorists."

To ensure that students are able to safely return to school, CAANEO urges all motorists to follow these tips:

• Always stop for school buses that are flashing upper red lights
  
  
• Drive cautiously and obey the posted speed limits, especially in school zones and residential neighbourhoods
  
  
• Watch for school bus and school zone warning signs
  
  
• Come to a complete stop at all intersections and watch for children crossing the street
  
  
• Be alert for children who might dart out suddenly from between parked vehicles or buildings
  

For more than 100 years, the Canadian Automobile Association has provided travel, emergency road services, insurance and advocacy for its Members.