STEP Initiative will be focusing on speeding this September
COBOURG (August 27, 2021) — As children are heading back to school, the Cobourg Police Service (CPS) will be focusing on speed enforcement, particularly in school and community safety zones, for the month of September. Officers will be actively patrolling school zones starting August 30 as the community prepares for schools to be back in session.
Committed to keeping community roadways safe for drivers and pedestrians, members of the Cobourg Police Service continue to develop the Selective Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP), which includes enhanced traffic patrols focusing on different areas of enforcement and education each month. As CPS continues to receive speeding complaints and school is scheduled to begin this September, STEP will shift to focus on speed enforcement.
Children will soon be making their way around town to reach school each day and ensuring they arrive safely is key. With that in mind, members of the Cobourg Police Service will be conducting a speed enforcement initiative called the “Back to School – In the Zone” while students return to class.
Starting the week of August 30, 2021, CPS members will be present in school and community safety zones, ready to engage and educate on speeding enforcement as neighbourhoods gear up to see students return. Once schools are in session (starting September 7, 2021), police will continue to be out during peak hours, enforcing speed violations with a zero tolerance approach in school zones.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and be observant around schools, crossing guard locations, local parks, and whenever they see a school bus. Community Safety Zones surround most of the area schools as well as parks and, as such, all Provincial Offence Notice fines are Schedule II. This means, when caught breaking the rules of the road, the monetary fine is doubled.
Children, students, and families have not attended schools on the majority since March 2020 due to the pandemic outbreak and provincial lockdowns, so drivers need to be extra cautious. The public is reminded to come to a complete stop when a school crossing guard is in the roadway directing people to cross. Also remember school buses will be arriving, departing, loading, and off-loading students at school locations and around town.
Speed offences and infractions may result in fines under the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. Provincial fines start at $17.50 and go up to $10 000, as well as up to 6 months in jail for a speed-related offence such as Stunt Driving (excessive speed, dangerous driving practices, etc).
Offences contrary to the Highway Traffic Act, related to not obeying a School Crossing Guard(s):
- Fail to Obey School Crossing Stop Sign: $365 fine with 4 Demerit Points
- Fail to Obey School Crossing Stop Sign – Community Safety Zone: $730 with 4 Demerit Points
Offences contrary to the Highway Traffic Act, related to not stopping for School Buses:
- Fail to Stop for School Bus – Signal Lights – Meeting: $490 fine with 6 Demerit Points
- Fail to Stop for School Bus – Stop Arm – Meeting: $490 with 6 Demerit Points
- Fail to Stop for School Bus – Signal Lights – Overtaking: $490 with 6 Demerit Points
- Fail to Stop for School Bus – Stop Arm – Overtaking: $490 with 6 Demerit Points
*Victim fine surcharge on every offence.
Cobourg Police Service would like to remind motorists to slow down, be patient, and be careful of children, students, and families using the roadways and sidewalks. Be mindful of and at school crossings as well as around school buses for the safety of everyone.
Keep alert and have a safe September.