The Halton Regional Police Service have launched Project Safe Start.
The initiative is in its 13th year.
It’s aimed to decreased aggressive driving and ensure a safe travelling environment for students.
“As Halton’s students return to over 160 educational facilities across the region, pedestrian and motor vehicle volumes will increase drastically. Our goal through Project Safe Start is to protect our youngest and most vulnerable road users,” says Sergeant Ryan Snow, Traffic Services Unit. “The Halton Regional Police Service would like to encourage motorists to slow down, drive sober and avoid using their cell phone and other devices while driving. Regardless of who is at fault, when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian or cyclist, the consequences are usually tragic.”
Here are some tips provided by the Halton Police:
1. Drive at a safe speed. Aggressive driving such as speeding, tailgating and failing to comply with road signs increase the likelihood of a collision. Aggressive driving reduces your reaction time and makes your vehicle movements unpredictable to other drivers.
2. Be aware of your surroundings when driving. There are three types of distractions: taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel, and taking your mind off driving. Holding your cellular phone in your hands is an offence, regardless of whether you are talking on it, using the navigation system or changing a song. This is still applicable when stopped at a red light. Did you know that texting while driving increases the risk of a collision by 23 times?
3. Drive responsibly. Drug-impaired driving and alcohol-impaired driving can result in serious injury or death to you, your loved ones and other road users. Impairment slows your ability to react to changing road conditions. Drinking before driving and any form of drug use will impact your ability to drive.
Project Safe Start began on Monday, September 7th and will continue through to Friday, September 18th.
