Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
It is the first day back-to-school across the area.
It will be a difficult day for some parents as they leave their little whippersnappers for the first time, armed with an oversized book-bag, brand new sneakers, pencil crayons and a nervous excitement.
Other parents will be smiling, putting their feet up and clinking their coffee cups together, which they will have discreetly filled with wine to help fit the occasion.
Either way, we know social media will be filled up with cute pictures of all our local children as they embark on another school year.
Good luck to everyone… parents included!
Here are some back-to-school tips and a reminder for drivers, thanks to the OPP:
The Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists that our school aged children will soon return to school. There will be an increase in pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle traffic, including school buses.
The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) section 175 states: “every driver or street car 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.”
And: “every driver or street car operator on a highway, when approaching from the rear, a stopped school bus that has its overhead signal-lights flashing, shall stop at least twenty meters before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead red signal-lights have stopped flashing.”
Caution must always be exercised by motorists, especially when around school buses which are parked, stopped, or otherwise. Motorists must also slowdown in school safety zones, and be prepared to stop for crossing guards, crosswalks, and pedestrians. Caregivers are encouraged to speak to their children about road safety rules, school bus and pedestrian safety.
The set fine for passing a school bus is $490 and 6 demerit points. However, an officer can choose to issue a court summons for this offence, where the maximum fine is $2,000. Vehicle owners can be legally responsible if their vehicle fails to stop for a school bus, even if they are not the driver.
Parents are encouraged to speak to their children about school bus safety, pedestrian safety, and obeying road safety rules at all times, whether on foot, or bicycle.
Remember to stay focused on the task of driving!
For more information on School Bus Safety visit the MTO website at: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section2.5.3.shtml
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
ICYMI – Dresden firefighters battled a blaze on Brown Street last night, here is our full photo gallery: Fire rips through Dresden home – See Photos
Weather forecast for Tuesday, September 6, 2016
A Heat Warning is in effect for today and Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to climb into the low thirties today and again Wednesday with humidex values reaching 40 to 42. There may be a few regions where the high temperatures and humidex values will continue into Thursday.
Today – Mainly sunny. High 32. Humidex 40. UV index 8 or very high.
Tonight – Partly cloudy. 30 percent chance of showers overnight with risk of a thunderstorm. Low 22.
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