Local partners work together to promote new Community Safety Zone for Swift Waters Elementary School in Brockville

Brockville – It is that time again for students to go back to school.

This year, there is a new school opening in Brockville so local partners (Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Upper Canada District School Board/Swift Waters Elementary School; City of Brockville; Brockville Police Service and Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario) are working together to promote safe driving behaviours in the new school zone.

Keeping children safe is a priority in any community. A new school in a neighbourhood requires the extra attention of drivers, particularly while they adjust to more traffic, young pedestrians, cyclists, school buses and lower speeds in the area. Not only are students starting a new school year and a new routine, they are also attending school in a new area that may be unfamiliar to them. Community Safety Zones placed around a school can help to keep them safe.

“The City of Brockville has been working with multiple partners over the last few months to look at the active school travel routes around the new Swift Waters Elementary School,” says Matt Locke, Supervisor of Transportation and Fleet Services for the city. “The new Community Safety Zone on King Street, between Centre Street and Cedar Street, is one of the measures the City has prioritized to increase safety for our students and families who are walking, rolling and cycling to school. There are also additional crosswalks, pedestrian crossovers and school zone signage being implemented to increase pedestrian safety in this area.”

As an added safety measure, the Brock Trail has 18 additional solar lights between Church Street and King Street.

“The Upper Canada District School Board has been working with the City of Brockville to ensure the area around the new school is safe for our walking and biking students and families,” says Bill Loshaw, School Superintendent. “This was a top priority for the school planning committee. We are happy that these safety enhancements have been put in place and will be enforced.”

With special safety zones come new rules for drivers to ensure safety in the community. The Brockville Police would like to remind you that fines are doubled in Community Safety Zones near schools and public areas, which are clearly marked with flashing signs. A driver travelling 55km/hr in a marked safety zone could be fined $95. There are additional penalties for careless driving if pedestrians are put at risk. Failing to stop at a crosswalk can result in a fine of $730 and 4 demerit points. Other penalties for drivers who endanger pedestrians can be found here.

“Brockville Police Service would like to remind everyone to do their part in bringing awareness to both community and school safety,” says Inspector Darryl Boyd. “We also want to remind students, parents, teachers and any member of our community to always be aware of your surroundings. If something is unusual or you feel unsafe, inform school staff or contact the police. We want everyone to feel as comfortable and safe as possible, inside and outside of the school.”

Keep in mind these safety tips around the school zone:

• Always watch for children.
• Obey the 40km/hr speed limit in the designated Community Safety Zone.
• Drive slowly and cautiously through school zones, residential areas or any other area where children could be walking or playing.
• Pay special attention to pedestrians especially when turning.
• Be alert to the newly painted crosswalks on Church at Cedar; Pearl at Cedar; and Baxter at Centre.
• At crossovers, school crossings and locations with crossing guards, wait until the pedestrians and crossing guard are safely on the sidewalk before proceeding through.
• Be alert to the new crossing guard at Church Street and Cedar Street Obey crossing guards and traffic calming measures erected on the streets.
• Pay attention to the school zone and children playing signs on Cedar, King and Centre Streets.
• When you see a school bus with its overhead amber lights flashing, slow down and prepare to stop – whether you are behind or approaching a bus. When the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is out, stop and do not pass the bus. See school bus laws here.
• Avoid letting your children walk through the school bus loading zone during bus times.
• Avoid distractions while driving.

“At STEO, student safety always comes first”, says Janet Murray, General Manager and CAO at Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario. “As the new school year is starting, we are asking motorists to be extra mindful of school buses and pedestrians on their journey to and from school. Your patience and understanding on the road and around school zones help to ensure our school travellers arrive safely at their destination.”

Traffic around schools can get very congested.

“On days when families have to drive to schools, try parking a block away and walking the last five minutes,” says Tawnya Boileau, School Health Co-ordinator with the Health Unit. “Not only will this improve safety at the school, the children will benefit too! A short burst of physical activity before class can provide mental and physical health benefits.”

Walk-A-Block locations for Swift Waters School have been mapped out to help parents and caregivers skip the congestion and contribute to a safer school zone.

Keep our children safe by taking special care in school zones.