Traffic Blitz

Tuesday, 2 September 2014 15:13

City Police targetting drivers as kids head back to school

WOODSTOCK - Woodstock Police officers are patrolling the roads and targeting school zones as the kids head back to school this week.

The Woodstock Police Service launched their annual Back To School Traffic Blitz last week, according to Sergeant Don Thomas. "We're going to be targeting mainly speeders in school zones, that's what we're mainly going to be targeting but we're also going to be targeting any distracted or aggressive driving throughout the city. We'll be dispatching officers every day, both day and night to run radar and we're going to have a zero-tolerance approach to those offenders that we find."

Thomas is also reminding motorists to watch for crossing guards as fines can be laid for those who do not obey their direction. "The crossing guards throughout the city, and anywhere for that matter - they do a fantastic job, they go above and beyond and unfortunately some times take their lives into their own hands when people are not paying attention when the crossing guard steps out with their stop sign. So once again, people need to pay attention to their driving, keep their mind on what they're doing, not thinking about what they have to do that day and keep their speed down."

Pedestrians are also being reminded to obey the rules of the road when heading out each day. "Cross where you're suppose to cross and be aware of the traffic that is approaching because it is very often the case that you can tell as a pedestrian whether a car is going to stop or not. So if you're going to be aware you lessen the risk that you might be involved in an accident - and also for pedestrians, if you're crossing traffic etcetera, make sure you're not on your cell phone, pay attention to the surroundings around you."

The Back To School Traffic Blitz will run in concert with the WPS Four Counties Traffic Initiative on Thursday; officers from surrounding agencies will patrol Woodstock roads with a zero-tolerance approach for the one-day campaign. In a release from police, they say "it is hoped that this effort will serve to create high police visibility for those traveling our streets."