Niagara Regional Police say that the 23rd Traffic Safety and Awareness Day will happen the same day students get back to school on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 next week.

Each year, senior officers and those who work in specialty units who are not regularly assigned to uniform patrol duties, put on their uniforms and head out to the local school zones to take part in this traffic safety and awareness day. In addition to the general uniform patrol, another 50 officers are expected to hit the streets this year as part of the initiative.

The annual campaign is organized by the NRPS Traffic Enforcement Unit. The focus this year will be the 13 Community Safety Zones near schools in Niagara. The purpose of a Community Safety Zone is to change driver behaviour and improve safety on certain sections of road, where public safety is of special concern. The fines for offences committed in Community Safety Zones are increased and speeding fines are doubled. None of the rules of the road change within the zone, only the penalties.

Safety efforts directed at problem driving in Community Safety Zones this year will be further bolstered by the Niagara Region’s launch of the Automated Speed Enforcement Program. On September 5, 2023, automated cameras will be active in designated Community Safety Zones in Niagara.

Officers will also be on the look out for traffic offences such as distracted driving, and seat belt infractions.

With the return of classes, the student buses will resume service. Over 100 buses in Niagara that service area schools are equipped with video cameras. Video evidence of drivers who do not stop for a loading school bus will be sent to the Niagara Regional Police and if there are grounds to support a charge, then an offence notice will be mailed to the last known address of the vehicle’s owner.

The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to road safety in Niagara year-round. Members of the Niagara Regional Police Service will continue to conduct traffic safety programs in school zones throughout the entire school year, by targeting aggressive and distracted drivers.

The Niagara Regional Police Service wishes to remind all drivers to be alert, drive with caution, and be aware of their surroundings, especially around schools and other educational facilities.

Police also remined parents and students that safety should always be a consideration. Please see the below are links to make the 2023/2024 school year awesome.

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