Police are reminding motorists to slow down and keep their eyes on the road as kids head back to school this week.
To educate motorists and enforce the rules of the road, Toronto police launched their annual back-to-school safety campaign Tuesday, with more than 250,000 students returning to class across the city.
The two-week initiative is focusing on poor driving habits that put children at risk.
Officers are paying special attention to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who violate traffic laws in and around school zones, police said.
Those violations include distracted driving, prohibited turns and pedestrians crossing mid-block.
Similar police initiatives are taking place in communities across Ontario.
Meanwhile, students and visitors are encountering increased security at more elementary schools after the province's Liberal government expanded a safety program in response to a tragedy at a U.S. school.
Over the summer holiday, front-door buzzers and surveillance cameras were installed in hundreds of schools that sought funding under the renewed Safe Welcome Program, which is funded by the province.
Under the program, about 80 per cent of Ontario elementary schools have every door locked while students are in class, and a security system is used to let visitors in at the front door.
All elementary schools within the Toronto District School Board follow the so-called "locked door" policy.
Former premier Dalton McGuinty announced the funding last December in response to a shooting rampage that killed 20 children and six educators in Newtown, Conn.
