Timmins motorists are blowing by crossing guards, school buses; police say
The Timmins Police Service is stepping up patrols in a particular school safety zone after receiving an increase in the number of complaints about motorists disobeying crossing guards and school buses when their stop signs are out. Police say people are blowing by them and it is putting children, other motorists and the public in danger.
The particular area of concern is the one in front of O'Gorman Intermediate Catholic School. A crossing guard who did not want to give his name, told CTV News he's seen drivers go right by him while he's holding up his stop sign or when school busses have lights flashing and stop signs out.
“They did try to their best to resolve the situation as best they could by being more present and stepping in where they could but nonetheless their frustration has grown to the point where the police have to be involved," said Marc Depatie, the communications coordinator for Timmins Police.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Const. Christopher Gauthier said that on average he issues 20 to 30 charges within a school year for such offences.
Const. Evan Mackey said choosing to drive by a bus with the safety arm deployed is a serious offence.
“It has a monetary fine up to hovering around $490 and (the loss of) six demerit points,” said Mackey.
“All together it’s a very avoidable occurrence if people just, you know, respect the stop sign deployed and stop when appropriate."
Police said this area will be closely monitored to ensure everyone's safety and they suggest motorists consider an alternate route to avoid this high traffic area during peak hours.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.