Safety top of mind for WRPS as school begins today
Posted Sep 2, 2014 05:00:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The kids are heading back to school in Waterloo Region today and police are asking for an increase in awareness and safety from drivers.
This time last year, Waterloo Regional Police gave out 448 tickets under the Highway Traffic Act including; 136 speeding charges, 51 distracted driving charges, and 24 charges for careless driving.
Police spokesperson, Olaf Heinzel tells 570 News there is also a hefty charge for not stopping for a school bus.
“Someone who fails to stop for a school bus can be fined a minimum of $495 and 6 demerit points. It is a very significant charge.”
Heinzel also urges everyone to keep an eye out for children in school zones.
“They may not always be paying attention to potential dangers around them as they are heading to school.”
Heinzel encourages parents to go over safety strategies with kids, which can be found here.
Police will also be canvasing university campuses this month as they go door-to-door with their Project Safe Semester campaign.
“We are hear to answer any questions students may have, we will go over their rights and responsibility, and also provided them with a packet of information…on resources that they can tap into if they need to during the course of the year.”
Heinzel adds the campaign not only provides safety tips to students but also helps them cope with living away from home for the first time.
“It goes along way towards making that connection with the students, particularly the younger ones who are here for the first time and living away from home.”
Heinzel adds “there is a scene of reassurance that comes from knowing that there are people out there who care about them and are there to help them, and that bridges that transition.”
To learn more about Project Safe Semester click here.
