RCMP release:

As students across the province head back to school next week, the Nova Scotia RCMP is reminding motorists and pedestrians to be extra careful during their daily commutes. Students and guardians must also be aware of the potential risks associated with sharing intimate photos over the internet.

“From the first day of school onward, it’s important that drivers are prepared for extra vehicle and pedestrian traffic,” says Cpl. Carlie McCann, Public Information Officer. “And whether travelling by car, by school bus or by foot, there are safety tips to keep in mind to ensure everyone has a safe start to the academic year.”

School zones

When entering a school zone, motorists must slow down during school hours and when children may be present. When the approaching speed limit is 50 km/h, motorists must slow to a maximum of 30 km/h in the school zone. When the approaching speed limit is more than 50 km/h, motorists must slow to a maximum of 50 km/h in the school zone. For more information, visit: Safer School Zone | novascotia.ca

If you choose to drive above the limit in school zones, you’re choosing to jeopardize the safety of students and others.

For a first offence of speeding in a school zone, drivers face:

• A $352.50 fine and two points off their licence (1-15 km/h over the speed limit)
• A $467.50 fine, three points off their licence and a seven-day suspension (16-30 km/h over the speed limit)
• A $697.50 fine, four points off their licence and a seven-day suspension (31+ km/h over the speed limit)

School buses

Each year, police receive reports of vehicles passing school buses. When school buses are parked in the street with their “Stop” sign extended and their red lights flashing, motorists must come to a complete stop. Failure to stop for a school bus could result in a fine of $410 and six points on your licence.

Students

Remind the students in your life to always use caution when walking along and crossing the road near buses, and when getting on and off the bus. Students should always wait for their buses at the designated spot away from the road.

And if you have older students in your household, especially newly licensed drivers, it’s a good time to remind them of safe driving practices. This includes driving within speed limits, staying focused at all times, and wearing seatbelts; it’s also important to ensure that the number of people in a vehicle doesn’t exceed the number of available seatbelts.

Intimate images

The return to the classroom can also bring new pressures for children and youth to share intimate photos of themselves online and via text messages. Some key reminders for students include:

• Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know
• Know that if you send a picture (or video) over the internet or through your phone, you don’t have control over who sees it or where it goes
• Child pornography (making, distributing/transmitting, accessing) is a criminal offence
• Talk to your parent(s) or a trusted adult if something happens to you online

For more information relating to internet child exploitation, visit Cybertip.ca and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (www.protect.children.ca).

“On behalf of the Nova Scotia RCMP, we wish all students a safe and happy Back to School season,” says Cpl. McCann.