​School is back in session. Be safety driven. 

 School is back in session and we know that many children are excited to see their classmates again. Don't forget to familiarize your children with these safety tips when travelling to and from school. Drivers are also reminded to stay alert, and drive cautiously as there may be more foot and vehicle traffic due to school resuming. 

If your child is walking to school, remind them to:

• Always cross the street at school crossing guard locations or at intersections.
• Pay extra attention and look for the crossing guards' stop sign and signals before proceeding through a school zone. 
• Be patient and take your direction to walk from the pedestrian signals, not the lights.
• Be alert, pay attention to your surroundings and avoid using any mobile device or wearing headphones that will distract you while crossing the street.
• If you aren't sure you have enough time to cross, don't take the chance – wait for the next signal.
  

If you are driving your children to school, or travel frequently around a school zone remember to:

• Watch for other children and pedestrians. 
• Remember to stay alert, pay attention to the speed limit and slow down when children are near the road or when you are driving through residential or school areas. 
• Be cautious when turning into any intersection and slow down on residential streets and school zones where children might be walking or playing.
• Be alert and use caution when approaching intersections, crosswalks and stopped transit buses.
• Pay attention and don't drive distracted. Some pedestrians may be walking against their signal and not paying attention. 
• Use drop-off and pick-up zones on designated school property - these are separate from school bus loading and unloading areas. Not all school sites are designed with a drop-off and pick-up zone, please check with your child's school for more information. 
  

Report aggressive driving behavior (speeding, disobeying traffic lights and stop signs etc.) to York Regional Police's Road Watch Program at yrp.ca/roadwatch. 

Be part of the solution. Keep your community safe by putting safety first. Do not speed, be aware of your surroundings, obey traffic rules and be safe and responsible. Learn more about the Town's Traffic Management Safety program at newmarket.ca/safetydriven