A Whitby school crossing reminder is asking drivers to wait until the crossing guard has left the roadway, not simply until the last child reaches the sidewalk.
The Town of Whitby published the guidance on October 28 as part of its Facts. Not Fiction information series. It addresses a common moment of uncertainty: children have crossed, but the guard remains on the road with a stop sign displayed.
The town’s answer is to remain stopped. Its notice says drivers must wait until all pedestrians and the crossing guard have cleared the roadway and it is safe to proceed.
Watch the guard and stop sign
Whitby crossing guards wear fluorescent safety vests marked GUARD and carry a whistle and stop sign. Drivers must stop before the crossing when the guard displays the sign.
The town urges motorists to reduce speed, watch for children and other pedestrians, follow posted school-zone limits and avoid distractions. It specifically warns against squeezing through while the guard is still on the roadway.
Crossing guards use a three-whistle system for different stages of the crossing. Drivers should watch the guard’s actions and stop sign rather than treating children’s arrival at the curb as permission to move.
Reporting unsafe driving
The notice directs people who witness dangerous or aggressive driving to Durham Regional Police’s Road Watch programme. Useful information includes the date, time, location, vehicle description and what happened.
The town also points interested applicants to its crossing-guard recruitment information, noting that positions are advertised as they become available.
The Whitby school crossing notice links municipal information and Ontario’s official guidance. It is a local safety reminder, not an announcement of a newly enacted traffic law or a change to the crossing system.
