THUNDER BAY - Back to school means watching your speed as city police are keeping an eye on school zones in time for the first day of school on Wednesday.
“Schools are transportation hubs. There’s a lot of traffic that comes and goes from schools. People have to be aware that kids aren’t always predictable and you have to be the one that’s taking the extra care,” said traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter of the Thunder Bay Police Service.
With children returning to the classroom this week, Porter said it’s a time for drivers to shed bad summer driving habits.
“We’re all creatures of habit and it’s all about changing bad habits into good habits,” he said, adding that police will also be monitoring motorists’ speeds outside of school hours.
“A lot of people say ‘why are the police enforcing the speed zones at 5 p.m.?’” said Porter.
“If you show me a school, I’ll show you a play centre and I’ll show you kids that are going to be using it at those hours. We want to make sure kids are safe all the time,” he added.
Porter also asked motorists to be on the lookout for crossing guards and to obey their signs as they are the equivalent of any other stop sign.