Cops target speeders as tens of thousands of Mississauga, Brampton kids go back to school

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Published August 30, 2022 at 11:02 am

Drivers are reminded to obey school zone rules and school buses as kids head back to the classroom.

Police will be out in full force in and around Mississauga and Brampton school zones starting this week looking for speeders and other aggressive drivers as tens of thousands of children head back to their classrooms on Sept. 6.

Peel Regional Police Road Safety Services officers will be present in school zones through Friday (Sept. 2) not only enforcing rules of the road, but also educating drivers on seatbelts, distracted driving, speeding and school bus rules.

Next week, when classes begin at hundreds of schools in Mississauga and Brampton, police will step up enforcement efforts and clamp down on speeding and other aggressive drivers in and near school zones.

Police and the City of Mississauga remind drivers that the speed limit in school zones is 30 km/h.

“School is about to start and our officers will be out in full force,” Road Safety Services officers posted to Twitter on Monday. “Please be aware of your surroundings. (The) Peel Regional Police Back to School Campaign will see more officers within designated school zones enforcing the rules of the road.”

One area of particular concern over the years has been the number of motorists who don’t obey the flashing signals of stopped school buses.

When a school bus has stopped and activated its flashing red lights, all vehicles travelling behind or approaching the bus must come to a complete stop before reaching it, police remind drivers.  

Drivers who ignore the flashing red lights and stop arms, and continue past the stopped bus, can be fined $400 to $2,000 for a first offence. First offenders may also lose six demerit points. Subsequent offences could cost drivers $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and up to six months in jail. 

Last year at this time in a three-day school zone awareness campaign across Mississauga and Brampton, 120 drivers were charged with various offences and another 107 cautions were issued by police.

Meanwhile, City of Mississauga officials also remind motorists to slow it down and be aware in school zones as the roads will be busy with thousands of young students next week who’ll be walking, riding their bikes or being dropped off and picked up by parents or school buses.

“This time of year, it’s especially important to keep road safety top of mind to prevent collisions with so many students out on the road. If you’re driving, I urge you to slow down, watch for students and to stop for school buses. Those walking or cycling are encouraged to follow the rules of the road and stay alert,” said Geoff Wright, Mississauga’s commissioner of transportation and works. “Consider walking or riding your bike to school to help reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. It’s also great exercise and will help you start your day in a healthy and energizing way.”

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