Back to School 2024: Safety reminders for students and commuters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 26, 2024 11:29 am

(Ottawa) – Back to School season is here! As students of all ages return to the classroom over the coming weeks, the Ottawa Police Service would like to wish everyone a safe return to school and provide some safety reminders to the community. 

Students will be heading to school by bus, on foot, and by bike—many for the first time in several weeks. 

Keep these Back to School safety tips in mind: 

• The back-to-school season can be stressful for some, but Ottawa has great resources to help: 
  • PLEO
  • YouthNet
  • Youth Services Bureau: Crisis Line 613-260-2360 
  • Centre LeCap
• Teach children the rules of the road, show them how to safely cross the street and how to look out for oncoming traffic. 
• Drivers: stay alert for the increased presence of school buses, pedestrians, youth and child cyclists and other road users on our streets. 
• Slow down in school zones and be prepared to stop at any time. Children may not always be aware of oncoming traffic. 
• Obey school bus signals. Always stop in both directions on roads without a median when a school bus is stopped with flashing lights. Fines for failing to stop range from $400 to $2,000 and carry six demerit points. 
• Be cautious at pedestrian crossings—understand how they work and respect them when in use. 
• Pedestrians and Young cyclists: Use sidewalks wherever they are available. 
• Cross streets at intersections, paying close attention to traffic, and only proceed when it’s safe. 
• Always wear a helmet when cycling and walk your bike across roadways. 
• Follow the guidance of crossing guards, crossing patrols, and school bus drivers.
• Hate has no place in our community. Check in with students about safety at school and the importance of reporting hate-motivated incidents to police at ottawapolice.ca/report or by calling 613-236-1222.

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366