Labour Day weekend tends to be my least favourite long weekend of the summer and for that matter, the entire year.
Traditionally many look toward Labour Day as the unofficial end to the lazy days of summer, not to mention the closing of the CNE and certainly the start of another new school year. So beginning today, motorists can expect to see an increase in activity on our streets as many of our young folk begin that back-to-school trek and yellow school buses once again fill the morning and early afternoon roadways.A few reminders for drivers and pedestrians alike may help to make this year's back-to-school venture a safe one. First and foremost, school-age children need to be reminded the safe way to cross streets, even those that may not be overly busy. Always stop before stepping onto the road, then look both ways to make sure there are no cars, trucks or bicycles coming in their path, followed by walking without delay to their destination. It is important to insist on carrying sports equipment such as basketballs or baseballs rather than bouncing or throwing them around when crossing roads. Doing so will certainly lessen the chances of those items getting away from them, perhaps into oncoming traffic and danger they didn't expect. Riding skateboards on busy streets even if only to cross from one side to the other is also a bad idea since balance can be easily lost and tragic consequences may result. Speaking from many years of experience policing our city streets and attending accidents where children have been struck by cars chasing after baseballs or footballs, I am convinced the safest place to cross any road - whether child or adult - is at a signalized intersection, a marked and well-lit pedestrian crosswalk or a designated point where a school crossing guard is on duty. If none are available on the route to your child's school, remind them to first stop, make sure the way is clear and if possible cross in a group. Complacency, even among children can and will occur so constant reminders are always a good thing.As for the motorists, remember most school zones are limited to a maximum speed of 40 kilometres per hour and police officers throughout the province will pay particular attention to school areas in the weeks to come to ensure those speeds are obeyed. It is also important to keep an eye out for the many yellow school buses soon to populate almost every main road and side street. Remember that school buses, unlike city transit buses, make irregular and unexpected stops to pick up and discharge students often in mid-block depending on the driver's set route. Once the red lights on the front and rear roof lines of the bus begin to flash, motorists travelling in both directions of an undivided roadway must come to a full and complete stop. An undivided roadway means a street where traffic moving in opposite directions is separated only by the yellow road paint or centre line, whereas a divided roadway has an actual physical barrier installed to separate both directions of travel. Disobeying a school bus signal is one of the more serious offences in the Highway Traffic Act and can carry a fine of up to $2,000, in addition to the accumulation of six demerit points. Let's make the 2010 return to school the safest one yet by driving with extra caution in and around school areas and by reminding the kids of a few simple traffic safety tips to help them safely cross the street.