The school year is underway and Manitoba Public Insurance is reminding drivers to watch for children and to drive carefully in school zones. Over the past five years police agencies have issued more than 5,000 provincial offence notices have been issued to motorists for various infractions such as speeding and using hand held devices.

These offences are concerning as they put the lives of children at risk.  Drivers are reminded to reduce speed in school zones, wait for children to cross the road completely before proceeding, look under parked cars for the feet of children approaching traffic, and to stop at least five metres behind a school bus and do not proceed until the stop sign on the bus is closed and the lights stop flashing.

Parents are reminded to drop their children off in a safe area away from traffic and children are reminded to cross only at intersections whenever possible. Parents are also urged to talk to their children about traffic safety and the importance of staying alert of the traffic around them, this means staying off cell phones and other electronic devices and to remind them to make eye contact with drivers to be sure that they are seen while crossing the street.