St. Thomas, ON – Friday August 29th 2025
With the first day of school quickly approaching, the St. Thomas Police Service is reminding drivers, parents and students to take extra precautions to ensure a safe and smooth start to the new school year.
Drivers are urged to slow down in school zones, watch for children crossing at designated areas and obey all traffic laws. Flashing lights on a school bus means traffic must stop in both directions. At pedestrian crossovers, vehicles must remain stopped until the pedestrian has fully crossed the roadway.
Parents are encouraged to walk safe routes with their children before the school year begins, ensure backpacks are properly fitted and reinforce road safety rules. Students are reminded to cross at marked crosswalks, avoid distractions such as phones while walking and wear helmets when cycling.
“Our officers will be visible in school zones, focusing on education and prevention,” said Corporate Communications Coordinator, Samantha Wakefield. “We want all students to be safe and feel excited as they head back to school.”
The St. Thomas Police Service is asking everyone to be patient during the first week, when school traffic patterns and routines are re-established. Together, the community can help protect the most vulnerable road users, our children.