It’s almost the start of the school year and that means the return of the Halton Regional Police Service’s (HRPS) Project Safe Start campaign.
With road users expected to surge in conjunction with the back-to-school season, HRPS is tasking all drivers and pedestrians to be aware of their behaviours and surroundings. In the coming days, residents may notice an increased police presence and traffic enforcement around Halton schools and nearby community safety zones.
This will be the 16th year for the initiative. Last year’s campaign ended with more than 1700 charges laid around Halton.
The HRPS is focusing on the ABC’s of road safety: Always Be Cautious.
“Just as road safety is a shared responsibility, so too is protecting the most vulnerable people in our community – children,” says Stephen J. Tanner, Chief of Police, Halton Regional Police Service. “For 16 years, HRPS has used Project Safe Start to remind drivers to slow down, obey the rules of the road, and be mindful of their surroundings as traffic increases with the back to school period. But know that as kids settle into their classrooms and become more comfortable, our officers do not. Road safety is a year-round priority and we will continue educating the public and enforcing the law every day to ensure our community is a safe place to live, work, play and learn.”
The HRPS stresses the following:
- Drop the distractions. Multi-tasking such as eating and adjusting the radio while driving takes your mind off the road, and handling a cell phone while operating a vehicle is an offence whether it’s stationary or in motion.
- Control your speed. Speed limits are not a recommendation; they’re law. Be aware of speed changes in community safety zones, refrain from tailgating, and comply with road signs.
- Drive sober. Driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol inhibits your ability to react behind the wheel and can result in serious injury or death to you, your loved ones, other road users, and pedestrians.
To report road safety concerns to HRPS, click here. In an emergency, dial 911.
Follow the HRPS on social media for more tips as the campaign progresses:
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