​Students return to school in the Kincardine area

Tuesday morning, students in the Kincardine area returned to school for the 2024-25 year, with many walking or biking, while others rode the big, yellow school buses.

Joanne Gray was back at her post as crossing guard on Russell Street, assisting youth who were heading to Huron Heights Public School (Grades 3-6) and St. Anthony’s School (Kindergarten to Grade 8), as well as Kincardine District Senior School (Grades 7-12).

Students were also welcomed back to Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School (KTTPS) which has Junior Kindergarten to Grade 2; and Ecole Elgin Market Public School which has Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 French Immersion.

And it was the first day of school for students at Ripley-Huron Community School and Lucknow Central Public School which continue to be for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8.

SOUTH BRUCE OPP BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS

(SOUTHERN BRUCE COUNTY, ON) - Sept. 3, children across the South Bruce OPP detachment area returned to school.

The return of school buses and student pedestrians means the roads will be busier. Give yourself extra time to get where you're going and help keep our students safe.

The South Bruce OPP is asking all drivers to be extra careful and observant for children on or near roadways, particularly near school zones. Keep your speed down and watch for students who try to cross the road in an unexpected location.

"South Bruce OPP officers will be visible on patrol in our school zones making sure motorists are complying, and reminding students about the importance of bicycle helmets and road safety,” said staff-sergeant Deb McClure. “Your children's safety is our priority."

Crossing Guards

Did you know that it's against the law to ignore a school crossing guard? According to Section 176 of the Highway Traffic Act, your vehicle must be stopped until the crosswalk is clear.

Where a school crossing guard displays a school crossing Stop sign, as provided in subsection (2), the driver of any vehicle or streetcar approaching the school crossing guard shall stop before reaching the crossing and shall remain stopped until everyone, including the school crossing guard, has cleared the roadway and it is safe to proceed.

Motorists who fail to stop for a school crossing guard Stop sign face a fine of $365 and four demerit points, upon conviction.

School Buses

The South Bruce OPP is reminding drivers to watch for school buses stopped on the roadway with alternating red lights flashing. Under Section 175 of the Highway Traffic Act, drivers meeting a stopped school bus and drivers approaching a stopped school bus must stop:
 

• Every driver or streetcar operator, when meeting on a highway, other than a highway with a median strip, a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing, shall stop before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead lights have stopped flashing.
• When approaching a school bus from the rear that has its overhead signal-lights flashing shall stop at least 20 metres before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead lights have stopped flashing.

Motorists who fail to stop for a stopped school bus face stiff penalties, upon conviction. First offence, the maximum fine is $2,000 and six demerit points. For each subsequent offence, the maximum fine is $4,000, or imprisonment, or both, and six demerit points.

If the driver can't be identified, the registered owner of the vehicle observed in violation of the law, may be charged with failing to stop for a stopped school bus.

The South Bruce OPP encourages all parents and caregivers to talk to their children about the importance of being safe when travelling to and from school.

For more information on school buses and school crossings, visit: www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/stopping.

The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.