The North Bay Police Service’s back to school traffic campaign has reached its final day. Another driver was hit with a nearly $500-dollar ticket for failing to stop for a school bus yesterday.
But Constable Ken Ayres says he’s seen progress in the areas he’s patrolled over these two weeks. He believes it’s been a successful campaign. Sometimes the police report fewer numbers than the public would like to hear, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect negatively. Ayres thinks the public is getting the message they need to slow down, and to stop for school buses when the red lights are flashing.
While he’s seen progress, Ayres admits this is an ongoing issue. Because of that, police will continue to monitor areas throughout the school year to make sure people are following the traffic laws. Ayres says he covers all the school zones throughout the entire year. It’s not just a blitz and then it stops, officers are always out there enforcing the laws.
Ayres was asked what would his message to the drivers of North Bay would be. His message is pay attention to the road speed signs, road conditions and traffic volumes. Ayres says people should be cognisant of pedestrians in general, but especially when driving in school zones. Ayres wanted to make clear that school zones are 40 kilometres per hour, and that people should slow down and be aware.
