Chatham-Kent police are reminding drivers to stop for school buses as students return to school on Tuesday.
Police said they will be conducting enforcement and education initiatives along school bus routes across Chatham-Kent beginning Tuesday.
Officers will be monitoring traffic in areas where school buses frequently operate to ensure drivers are complying with the rules of the road and to help create a safe environment for students travelling to and from school, police said.
Drivers are reminded that it's illegal to pass a stopped school bus with its overhead red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
They're also reminded that drivers approaching a stopped school bus from either direction on roads that are not divided by a physical median must stop and remain stopped until the bus resumes moving or the signals are deactivated.
Police added extra caution should be exercised in school zones and residential neighbourhoods, particularly just before and after school because students may cross the road unexpectedly or dart out from between parked vehicles.
Police encourage everyone to slow down and stay alert.
"School bus safety is a shared responsibility. Every driver has a role in protecting children and ensuring they arrive safely at school and return home at the end of the day," police noted.
