Backpacks are shiny, shoes are clean, and notebooks are new. It can only mean one thing – back to school! As thousands of Manitoba children head back to class this week, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is reminding everyone to keep their focus on the road.
Children may be walking, riding their bike, or getting dropped off by a parent or school bus. Motorists need to be alert to the increased road activity.
“A new school year and reuniting with friends is an exciting time for children across the province, and MPI wants everyone to be safe as they head to and from school,” said Maria Campos, Vice President & Chief Customer and Product Officer at MPI. “Children are not always predictable, so for motorists and parents, the focus needs to be on the road. Reduced speed in school zones helps slow everything down and allow for extra reaction time.”
School buses are also back on the road and will stop traffic to allow children to get on or off the bus. Motorists need to stop at least five metres behind a school bus when the upper red lights are flashing and cannot proceed until the stop sign on the bus is closed and the red lights stop flashing. Oncoming motorists need to stop with enough distance to allow for children to get on and off the bus and cross the road. In 2024, there were 119 collisions involving a school bus, emphasizing the need for everyone to slow down and work together to keep young Manitobans safe.
Here are some safety tips for all road users now that school traffic has started:
- Cross the street at marked intersections, preferably those controlled by School Safety Patrols, signs, or traffic control signals
- When crossing the street, cross as quickly as possible to minimize time on the roadway
- Look well ahead to spot school buses and school zone signs
- Wait for children to cross the street completely before proceeding
- Make lane changes early to allow room for children on bicycles, skateboards, or roller blades
- If you are driving your children to school, drop them off in a safe area, away from traffic. Use a designated drop-off zone if the school has one
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For more information, please contact:
Manitoba Public Insurance
Media Relations Unit
204-985-7300