Back to School Reminder: Slow Down and Keep Kids Safe

Cobourg, ON – August 27, 2025 – With the new school year about to start, Northumberland County and area municipalities are reminding drivers to obey all traffic laws, slow down and remain vigilant—particularly in school zones, hamlets, and residential areas.

The annual ‘Slow Your Roll’ campaign, initiated in 2021 by the Northumberland Inter-municipal Public Works Committee, continues to urge motorists to reduce speeds and practice safe driving habits. Large mobile signs have been positioned in hamlets and near schools during this busy back-to-school period to reinforce the importance of driving cautiously.

In 2023, Northumberland County introduced flashing signals at select schools to further promote road safety. When beacons are flashing, drivers are required to slow down to 40 km/h. Many school zones across the county now have posted reduced speed limits to provide students with a safer journey to and from school.

To help keep students safe, Northumberland County offers these important reminders:

General Road Safety Tips

• Drive slowly and cautiously: Reduce speed in school zones, hamlets, and residential areas.
• Pay attention to flashing beacons: When signals are flashing, slow down to 40 km/h and remain alert for children.
• Stop for school buses: All traffic must stop when a school bus’s red lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended.
• Watch for children and crossing guards: be prepared to stop.
• Stop when a crossing guard raises their stop sign: Only proceed once the children and crossing guard are safely off the road.
• Use designated drop-off and pick-up zones: Even if it means waiting for a spot to clear.