With last minute Christmas shopping on everyone’s minds, Haliburton Highlands OPP is asking you to keep driver and pedestrian safety the first priority. They’re reminding drivers that children will be outside all day with school out for winter break. The following are some tips they’re sending out:
For drivers
- The last day of school is an exciting time for children and they may become preoccupied and forget the rules of he road
- Be ready to stop at all times. Children don’t always notice oncoming traffic. Smaller children are less predictable and harder to see
- Watch for clues, a hockey net or ball can mean kids are playing nearby
- Always try to make eye contact with children waiting to cross the road
- Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding
- Always watch for children as you are backing up. Walk around your vehicle to make sure no small children are behind it.
For parents
- Teach your children to make eye contact with the driver before they cross the road, even if the walk signal is on
- Stop before stepping into the road
- Look in all directions before crossing
- Stop, look and listen for traffic
- Cross safely when the road is clear
- Walk, don’t run, across the road
- Don’t Jaywalk. Teach your children to cross at intersections that have a marked crosswalk
- Avoid unnecessary shortcuts like walking through a parking lot. Drivers may not see children between parked cars and the children may not see the cars moving.