As the end of the school year quickly approaches, the Owen Sound Police Service is reminding all drivers to pay extra attention.
The highly anticipated time of year means many excited kids running around, potentially not keeping safety top of mind while crossing the street, biking on the shoulder of roads, and playing in parks and water.
Owen Sound police released the following tips for drivers leading up to and throughout the summer:
Observe carefully when driving around playgrounds and parks.
Watch for clues (hockey nets, balls in the road/sidewalk, other toys) that mean kids may be nearby.
Pay attention and always expect the unexpected.
Watch for small children as you're backing up. Walk around your car to make sure no kids or pets are behind it.
Officers also released tips for parents, part of an additional effort to keep their kids safe:
Teach your kids to make eye contact with the driver before they cross, even if the walk signal is on.
Remind your children to walk, never run, across the road.
Stop, look, and listen before crossing the street.
Don't jaywalk. Always use intersections that have marked crosswalks or pedestrian crossing lights.
Avoid unnecessary shortcuts like walking through parking lots. Drivers may not see children.
