Facts. Not Fiction: When Can You Go at a School Crossing?

The children have crossed. Traffic is waiting. The crossing guard is still in the road, holding up the stop sign.

Can drivers start moving?

No. The crossing isn't over just because the children have reached the other side.

Ontario's rules require drivers to remain stopped until everyone, including the crossing guard, has cleared the roadway and it is safe to proceed.

Here's what drivers need to know.

Know the sign. Know when to stop.

Whitby crossing guards wear a fluorescent safety vest marked GUARD on the back and carry a whistle and stop sign.

When a crossing guard displays the stop sign, drivers must stop before reaching the crossing and remain stopped until all pedestrians and the crossing guard have cleared the roadway.

The important distinction? Don't start driving just because the last child has crossed. Wait until the crossing guard is safely off the road, too.

Approaching a school crossing? Here's what to do.

DO:

• Slow down and stay alert as you approach a school crossing or school zone.
• Watch for children, pedestrians, and crossing guards.
• Stop when the crossing guard displays the stop sign.
• Remain stopped until all pedestrians and the crossing guard have cleared the roadway and it is safe to proceed.
• Follow the posted speed limit and watch for school-zone signs.

DON'T:

• Drive through just because the children have reached the other side.
• Move while the crossing guard is still in the roadway.
• Try to squeeze through before the crossing is clear.
• Let distractions take your attention away from the road.
  
  

Understanding the three-whistle system

Whitby crossing guards use a three-whistle system to help coordinate the crossing.

The whistles signal different stages of the crossing, from preparing to enter the roadway to guiding pedestrians across and completing the crossing.

Drivers should watch the crossing guard's actions and stop sign rather than assuming that the crossing is finished when the children have reached the sidewalk.

The rule is simple: wait until the crossing guard and all pedestrians have cleared the roadway before proceeding.

See unsafe driving? Here's how to report it.

If you witness dangerous or aggressive driving, you can submit a report through the Durham Regional Police Service Road Watch Program, which serves communities across Durham Region.

Record details such as the date, time, location, vehicle description and what happened.

👉 Learn about Road Watch through Durham Regional Police Service.

Help keep Whitby's school crossings safe

Crossing guards play an important role in helping students and other pedestrians cross safely. Interested in becoming one? The Town recruits crossing guards as positions become available.

👉 Visit the Town's Crossing Guard Recruitment page to learn more about the role and application process.

For more information, visit the Town of Whitby's Crossing Guards page and Ontario's official Driving Near Pedestrian Crossovers and School Crossings guidance.

Knowing how the rules actually work beats the comments section. Every. Time.

🟦 Share facts. Not fiction. Straight from the source.

No spin. No speculation.

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