Street Safe for Back to School
Crosswalks, intersections, train tracks, oh my!
It's back to school time once again, and a perfect opportunity to review street safety with your kids.
The Basics:
- Walk on a sidewalk whenever available
- Always cross at intersections, and remember walk don't run across the road
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, skateboard, scooter or using inline skates
- Always walk your bicycle across an intersection
When crossing at an Intersection without signals or a crossing guard, children should:
- Stop, Look and Listen for traffic
- Look in all directions before stepping into the road
- If there is an approaching or stopped motorist, have children indicate their intention to cross - encourage them to make eye contact and extend their arm to show the direction they are traveling
When crossing intersections with signals, children should:
- Push the pedestrian button (where available) and wait for the pedestrian walk sign
- Stop, Look and Listen for traffic
- Watch for turning cars or trucks from both directions
- If there is an approaching or stopped motorist, have children indicate their intention to cross - encourage them to make eye contact, and extend their arm
- If the road is clear, walk, don't run across the road
If there is an adult crossing guard, children should:
- Cross only under the direction of the guard
Bus Safety:
- Teach children about the bus danger zones, these are blind spots where the bus driver is unable to see them, or there is a risk of being hit. Once they know the danger zone, have them stay clear
- Make sure they can always see the driver, if they can't see the driver, the driver can't see them
- Do not approach the bus until signaled by the driver
- Never walk or play behind a bus
- If they drop something in front of the bus remind them not to pick it up. If they disappear from sight, the bus driver may assume they have left. It is safer just to leave it until the bus is gone, or get help from the driver 
Railway Crossings:
Many children in communities across Ontario must cross railway tracks daily. Ensure children are taught the only safe place to cross railway tracks is at a designated crossing. Remind them it is not safe to walk on or alongside railway tracks.