York Regional Police are calling it a “first day fail”.
As part of Operation ABC (Always be Careful), a road safety program rolled out at local school zones each year on the first day of school, York police this morning charged a driver with careless driving on Ford Wilson Boulevard in Newmarket as she was speeding to catch up to a school bus carrying her son.
“She blew past a car that had slowed down for a crosswalk, and nearly hit a crossing guard and several children trying to cross the road,” York police reported at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 on its social media account. "She wanted to watch him walk off the bus and into the school. Luckily, no one was injured."
The driver faces a $490 fine and six demerit points if found guilty of the charge.
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Many residents who follow York police's social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter quickly responded to the incident. One resident on Twitter, Sarah Macdonald, advised officers of the following: "You should be at the stop signs at London Road near Canadian Martyrs (Catholic elementary school) in Newmarket. SEVERAL drivers ignored the stop signs this morning. And do every morning."
The local force were out in the area of Woodspring Avenue and Ford Wilson Boulevard on the first day back to school to ensure students get safely to their classes and motorists abide by the rules of the road, York police said.
FIRST DAY FAIL: A #Newmarket driver was speeding on Ford Wilson Blvd to catch up to a school bus carrying her son. She blew past a car that had slowed down for a crosswalk & nearly hit a crossing guard & several kids. We charged her with Careless Driving: $490 fine, 6 demerits. pic.twitter.com/ak2DYITDdB
— York Regional Police (@YRP) September 3, 2019
Parents, teachers, motorists, and children must be extra cautious as they make their way around school zones, and York police remind all road users to be “extra patient and alert” to help keep local school zones and students safe.
Road safety in school zones is everyone’s responsibility, York police said. Here’s how you can do your part:
For drivers in school zones
- Reduce speed
- Be ready to stop at all times
- Wait for children to reach the sidewalk before proceeding
- Obey crossing guards
- Drive with caution, as you set an example for young drivers
- Always be prepared to yield to pedestrians waiting to cross the roadway, or while approaching a crosswalk
- Remember that children expect you to stop
For parents and children
- Walk on available sidewalks, never on the road
- Always cross at an intersection or crosswalk
- Obey crossing guards
When crossing intersections
- Stop before stepping onto the road
- Be visible and indicate your intention to cross
- Turn off or mute any device that impairs your hearing, like an iPod or MP3 player
- Do not text or play handheld video games while crossing the road
- Look and listen for traffic in all directions
- When one is available, push the cross button
- Wait until you see the pedestrian walk signal
- Look and listen for traffic in all directions
- Keep an eye out for turning vehicles
- Walk. Do not run, cycle or skateboard across the road
- Cross only when the road is clear
When driving children to school
- Stop for school buses and be aware of children running in front of or behind buses
- Park away from the school and walk your child onto school property
- Arrive early to avoid traffic congestion
- Obey all crossing guards and safety officials
- Do not park in a 'No Parking' zone
- Have children exit the vehicle from the passenger side
- Obey all parking lot rules
