York police promote pedestrian safety, healthy living for Winter Walk Day

YorkRegion.com
February 4, 2014
By Chris Traber

If you’re driving to or near Blessed Trinity Catholic Elementary School in Vaughan tomorrow, be on your best behavior.

Any speeding, distracted driving, rolling stops or lack of seat belt buckling will result in charges by the more significant than usual police presence.

Consider it advance warning, York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden said of National Winter Walk Day, an opportunity to promote healthy and active living and pedestrian safety across York Region.

The region and York Regional Police, in partnership with York Catholic District School Board, will set up at the school to remind students, parents, teachers, staff and drivers healthy living and pedestrian safety create safer, healthier communities that benefit everyone.

York Regional Police officers will be on hand 8:30 to 10 a.m. reminding students of the appropriate places to safely and lawfully cross the street around their school, Const. Pattenden said. Officers will also remind drivers the Highway Traffic Act states all motorists must yield to pedestrians who are lawfully crossing the roadway.

As part of an ongoing pedestrian safety campaign, York Region is also promoting a series of posters and videos geared toward elementary school-aged youths at the event. These materials reinforce positive pedestrian behaviours, such as making eye contact with motorists before crossing the street and walking rather than running at intersections.

Const. Pattenden said the special event will reinforce the rules of the road for drivers and pedestrians alike.

Drivers must heed stop signs and posted speeds in all community safety zones, he said.

"The law applies 24/7, not just during school hours," he said. “The fine also doubles in those zones.”

Being oblivious to the law is not merely a health and safety issue. It can cause a major impact on your finances. Using a mobile device in your car will cost you $155. Going 20 km/h over the posted safety zone speed limit, for example, will cost you $180 and three driver demerit points. Your insurance premiums could also increase with point deductions.

Winter Walk Day also encourages students to embrace a healthy lifestyle by walking to school, Const. Pattenden said.

Blessed Trinity is an eco school and participates in York Region’s Healthy Schools Program and is committed to reducing its environmental footprint through actions that save energy.

For more information on this or any health-related topic, call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or visit york.ca/health

For details on York Region’s pedestrian safety program, visit york.ca/trafficsafety