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15| O akville B eaver | T hursday,A ugust 30,2018 insidehalton.com More than 100,000 stu- dents return to classes in Halton on Tuesday, Sept. 4. With that in mind, mo- torists are being remind- ed to be on heightened alert for increased pedes- trian and vehicle traffic around school zones - via Halton Regional Police Service's Project Safe Start. Now in its 11th year and running from Au- gust 27 to September 7, the campaign focuses on education, awareness and high-visibility en- forcement of traffic lawsforcement of traffic lawsf in and around school zones throughout Hal- ton. Motorists are asked to: . Drive at a safe speed. Aggressive driving such as speeding, tailgating and failing to comply with road signs increase the likelihood of a colli- sion. Aggressive driving reduces your reaction time and makes your ve- hicle movements unpre- dictable to other drivers. . Be aware of your sur- roundings when driving. There are three types of distractions: taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel and taking your mind off driving. Holding your cellular phone in your hands is an offence, re- gardless of whether you are talking on it, using the navigation system or changing a song. This is still applicable when stopped at a red light. Did you know that texting while driving increases the risk of a collision by 23 times? . Drive responsibly. Drug-impaired driving and alcohol-impaired driving can result in seri- ous injury or death to you, your loved ones and other road users. Impair- ment slows your ability to react to changing road conditions. Drinking be- fore driving and any formfore driving and any formf of drug use will affect your ability to drive. "All motorists within Halton have a role to play in traffic safety, especial- ly as children return to class at one of the over 160 educational facilities in the region," said Sgt. Ryan Snow of the Traffic Services Unit. "Children are our most vulnerable road users. Regardless of who is at fault, when a ve- hicle collides with a pe- destrian or cyclist, tragic consequences usually re- sult. Motorists are en- couraged to slow down, drive sober and avoid us- ing your cell phone at all times when driving. All children deserve to at- tend school - safely." LET'S KEEP SCHOOL ZONES SAFE, HALTON POLICE URGE MOTORISTS NEWS