With the return of students comes an increase in pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic in and around school zones. Children may be excited to return to school and may not always be aware of their surroundings. Motorists are asked to remain alert, slow down and watch carefully for children walking and cycling to and from school.

Motorists are also reminded that a stopped school bus with its red overhead flashing lights activated and stop arm extended requires all approaching drivers to stop.

Safety Reminders for Motorists:

·      Focus your full attention on driving and put away unnecessary distractions.

·      Slow down in school zones and obey all posted speed limits.

·      Watch carefully for children walking or cycling near roadways, intersections and school entrances.

·      Be prepared for children to cross the road unexpectedly.

·      Allow extra time when travelling through school zones, particularly before and after school.

·      Watch for increased vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

·      Respect crossing guards and follow their directions at all times.

·      Stop for school buses when the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.

·      Never attempt to pass a stopped school bus while its red lights are activated.

·      The fine for failing to stop for a school bus when required is a minimum of $490 and six demerit points upon conviction.

Increased Police Presence:

As students return to the classroom, Dufferin OPP will be out in full force before and after school hours to help ensure our children get to and from school safely.

Officers will be conducting enhanced patrols in and around school zones, monitoring traffic and enforcing the rules of the road. Motorists can expect an increased police presence throughout Dufferin County and are reminded that getting to their destination safely is more important than getting there quickly.

Drivers found failing to stop for a school bus when required may be served a Provincial Offences Notice for Failing to Stop for a School Bus.

Our children’s safety is everyone’s responsibility. Slow down, stay alert, respect our crossing guards, and give children the time and space they need to safely travel to and from school.

Members of the Dufferin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are committed to public safety and delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value the public’s contribution to building safe communities.

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New CAA research shows that school zone congestion remains a significant concern for Ontario parents. Eight in 10 parents report congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times, while 84 per cent say they have witnessed at least one dangerous driving behaviour in their child’s school zone. The most observed behaviours include speeding, double-parking, stopping in undesignated areas, and blocking school bus drop-off zones.

“Back-to-school season is exciting, but it can also be hectic,” says Tracy Marshall, manager, community relations at CAA SCO. “The good news is that small changes to our daily routines can make a meaningful difference. By planning ahead, following school drop-off procedures and staying alert, we can all help make school zones safer for children, parents and school staff.”

Ontario parents raise concerns about school zone safety as risky drop-off and pick-up habits persist

According to the survey, 63 per cent of Ontario parents reported that their child’s school zone was not very safe. Three of the four most frequently observed unsafe behaviours are directly related to school drop-off and pick-up activity, highlighting the need for safer habits during busy school travel periods.

CAA is encouraging families to set a few ‘school year resolutions’ to create safer school zones as children go back to school:

• Give yourself a few extra minutes: We know mornings don’t always go according to plan. When possible, build in a little extra time for the school run. A less rushed arrival can help reduce behaviours such as double parking, stopping in undesignated areas, or dropping children off in unsafe locations.
• Follow your school’s drop-off routine: Every school has procedures designed to move students safely and efficiently. Following designated pick-up and drop-off practices, even when the line is long, helps improve traffic flow and creates a safer experience for children, families, and school staff.
• Consider a “park and walk”: If it’s practical for your family, parking a short distance from the school and walking the last block can help ease congestion near entrances while giving children an opportunity to build road safety awareness.
• Help reduce traffic with active school travel: If possible, incorporate active school travel into your family’s routine, even one or two days per week. Encouraging your kids to walk or wheel to school helps to ease traffic congestion, among other benefits.
• Reinforce road safety rules: Proactively chat with children about how to safely walk, bike or scooter based on their age and neighbourhood. Simple reminders like looking “left, right, left” before crossing, paying attention to adult crossing guards and staying alert around driveways and parking lots can make a big difference.

CAA SCO is also asking all motorists to remember that when you’re in a school zone, children are nearby. Drivers can support school zone safety with a few simple actions:

• Stay alert: Put away distractions and focus on the road. Children can appear unexpectedly between parked vehicles, near crossings or around school buses.
• Slow down: Reduce your speed and be prepared to stop. School zones require extra attention, particularly during arrival and dismissal periods.
• Watch for school buses and crossing guards: Always obey school bus signals and be aware of adult crossing guards, safety patrollers and students crossing the road. Not only is it illegal to pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended, it is also incredibly dangerous.

For more school zone safety information and tips, visit caasco.com/schoolzone.

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One of the most important responsibilities drivers share is ensuring the safety of children boarding and exiting school buses. When approaching a school bus displaying flashing amber lights, motorists should be prepared to stop. Amber lights indicate the bus is preparing to load or unload passengers and will soon activate its red overhead warning lights.

Once a school bus has stopped and its red overhead warning lights are flashing, drivers must stop, as required by law, and remain stopped until the red lights are no longer flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn. On roads without a physical median, traffic travelling in both directions must stop. On roads separated by a physical median, only vehicles travelling behind the bus are required to stop.

Pedestrians also play an important role in road safety. Students and parents are encouraged to use designated crosswalks and intersections whenever possible. Before crossing the road, look left, right, and left again, make eye contact with drivers, and ensure vehicles have stopped before stepping into the roadway. Where crossing guards are present, always follow their instructions.

Whether travelling by vehicle, bicycle, school bus, or on foot, everyone has a responsibility to help keep children safe.

Back-to-School Safety Tips: Facebook | Instagram | X

•  Slow down and obey posted speed limits, especially in school and community safety zones.
• Eliminate distractions and focus on the road at all times.
• Watch for children who may unexpectedly enter the roadway.
• Be prepared for increased traffic during school arrival and dismissal times.
• Never pass a stopped school bus displaying red overhead warning lights.
• Use designated crosswalks and intersections when crossing the road.
• Follow the directions of crossing guards and school safety personnel.

The OPP is committed to keeping Ontario roads safe and is asking all road users to do their part as students return to school. A few extra seconds of patience and attention can help prevent a tragedy and ensure every child arrives safely at school and returns home at the end of the day.

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More than 1,100 turtle eggs from four different turtle species were safely collected and protected during recent road work along Twelve Mile Bay Road.

The work was part of a partnership between Moose Deer Point First Nation, Generations Effect and the District Municipality of Muskoka. Generations Effect is a social enterprise of Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere.

Protecting Turtle Nests and Eggs at Risk During Construction

Summer is a busy season for road construction, but it is also an important time for turtles.

Turtle nesting season takes place each June, when females often travel across roads and into roadside areas to lay their eggs.

Twelve Mile Bay Road runs through more than 18 kilometres of wildlife habitat and passes many wetlands. This makes the area an ideal home for turtles, reptiles and other wildlife.

Before and during construction, teams from Generations Effect and the Moose Deer Point First Nation Lands Department carefully checked work areas for turtles and nesting activity.

Their work included:

• Moving turtles and other animals away from active construction areas
• Collecting turtle eggs that were at risk from construction
• Checking ditches and areas before excavation began for at risk wildlife
• Protecting and relocating milkweed and monarch butterflies
• Relocating culturally important plants, including sweetgrass and cedar

Over four weeks, environmental teams worked alongside construction crews to protect turtles, plants and other species during resurfacing work.

Plans to Care and Release Rescued Eggs

The collected eggs were carefully moved from areas where they could have been damaged by construction equipment.  They were then taken to the Generations Effect incubation facility.

After hatching, the young turtles are being released back into wetlands near where their eggs were found along Twelve Mile Bay Road.

Returning the turtles to their home wetlands helps them continue their life cycle in the habitat where they belong.

Working Together to Protect What Matters

This partnership shows how infrastructure work and environmental protection can work together.

Protecting turtles and other species at risk required close coordination between environmental teams and crews working on the road.

Construction crews helped by sharing observations, communicating with the environmental teams and allowing time for animals and plants to be safely moved when needed.

Thank you to everyone involved for helping to make these road improvements safer for some of Muskoka’s smallest travellers.

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Muskoka, ON — District Council has approved speed limit changes on three sections of District roads in Bracebridge following an area-wide review of road conditions, traffic speeds, surrounding land uses and safety. 

The changes were approved on August 20, 2026, and will take effect once new speed limit signs are installed. 

The following speed limit changes were approved: 

• Muskoka Road 20 (Doe Lake Road): The speed limit will increase from 60 km/h to 70 km/h between Uffington Road and Housey’s Rapids Road. 
• Muskoka Road 37 (Manitoba Street): The speed limit will decrease from 50 km/h to 40 km/h between Monck Road and Ecclestone Drive. 
• Muskoka Road 42 (Taylor Road): The speed limit will decrease from 50 km/h to 30 km/h between Front Street and Manitoba Street. 

All other speed limits reviewed on District roads in Bracebridge remain unchanged. 

“Speed limits should reflect the road, its surroundings and how people use it,” said James Steele, Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works. “A consistent, evidence-based approach helps drivers, pedestrians and cyclists know what to expect and supports safer travel across Muskoka.” 

A Consistent Approach to Reviewing Speed Limits 

The District manages about 730 kilometres of roads across Muskoka. As communities and traffic patterns change, speed limits need to be reviewed to make sure they remain appropriate. 

The District updated its Speed Limit Policy in 2025 to introduce a regular review process.  All District roads are reviewed over a six-year period, one area municipality at a time. 

In the past, speed limits were often reviewed after a complaint, a municipal request, or a collision. The updated policy ensures that every District road is reviewed regularly, with a consistent approach. 

During each review, staff consider: 

• road design and surrounding conditions; 
• traffic speeds and volumes; 
• nearby homes, businesses and other land uses; 
• collision and safety history; and 
• pedestrian and cycling activity. 

Staff use recognized Canadian transportation engineering guidance, along with local road conditions and safety data, to determine whether a speed limit should increase, decrease or remain the same. 

What Drivers Can Expect 

New speed limit signs will be installed along the three affected sections. The new limits will take effect once the signs are posted.  Drivers should watch for changing speed limits and follow the posted signs. 

The District will continue reviewing speed limits across Muskoka. District roads in the Township of Georgian Bay are currently under review, with recommendations expected to come to Committee in 2027. 

Learn more about how speed limits are reviewed on the District of Muskoka Roads and Bridges webpage. 

The post District Council Approves Speed Limit Changes On Three Bracebridge Roads appeared first on Muskoka411.

Changes are coming to Muskoka Road 118 West between Balls Drive and Westmall Road to improve the current set-up while continuing to support safer travel through the area.

Temporary concrete barriers installed in early 2025 will be replaced with a concrete curb and asphalt median. The updated median will continue to restrict left turns while the District completes long-term planning for the corridor.

Why Left Turns Are Restricted

Between January 2020 and October 2024, there were 29 collisions along this section of Muskoka Road 118W, including one fatal collision.

An engineering review found that left turns and crossing movements at entrances created increased safety risks. In some locations, drivers must cross several lanes of busy traffic to enter or leave properties.

The risks included:

• Drivers crossing up to five lanes of traffic when turning or crossing the road
• Vehicles waiting to turn left and blocking traffic behind them
• Close calls involving vehicles, pedestrians and trucks, particularly during busy summer months

Restricting left turns and directing drivers to nearby traffic signals helps reduce these risks while maintaining access to businesses and properties along the corridor.

Improving the Current Set-Up

Based on community feedback, and now that drivers have adjusted to the new traffic pattern, the temporary barriers will be replaced with a concrete curb and asphalt median.

Additional road markings and signage will be included to make traffic movements clearer.

The new median will remain in place while the District reviews options for the road’s future design and completes the environmental review required by the Province.

Planning for Long-Term Improvements

The preliminary concept and environmental reviews mentioned above will help determine the future design of this section of Muskoka Road 118W.

It will consider:

• Rebuilding the road in a way that continues mitigate risks associated with left turns
• Water, stormwater and sanitary sewer improvements and potential capacity expansion
• Intersection improvements
• Active transportation improvements along the corridor

The future design will continue to prioritize safety while looking for opportunities to improve traffic movement through the area.

Supporting Businesses in “the Flats”

The District will continue to provide resources and project updates to help businesses and residents stay informed about the changes.

Visit Muskoka Road 118 Improvements for project information, updates and resources.

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When an emergency vehicle approaches with emergency lights activated, drivers are expected to slow down and move to the right side of the road, clear of any intersection. If an emergency vehicle with their lights activated is stopped roadside, drivers are expected to slow down and move over a lane, if it is safe to do so. It’s the law. Last year (2025), the OPP laid 170 charges against drivers who did not comply with Ontario’s Slow Down, Move Over law. This law ensures emergency personnel have the safe space needed to assist motorists and conduct their work on the roadside.

During last year’s Civic Day long weekend, many drivers made unsafe choices, resulting in 3,514 speeding charges, 512 seatbelt related charges, 77 distracted driving charges and 204 impaired driving charges. There were also nine vehicle related fatalities on the long weekend. No one should put their life or the lives of others at risk. The OPP urges all drivers to make safe and responsible choices on the road.

Wear a seatbelt, pay attention, drive sober and slow down. Each decision made behind the wheel can help protect lives and keep our roads safe for everyone. Drive safe. Arrive safe. Enjoy the long weekend.

“As first responders, OPP officers see the devastating consequences of poor driving decisions. Traffic enforcement is about preventing tragedies and creating safer roads for everyone. This weekend let’s all work together to make safety a priority.”

Karen Meyer, Deputy Commissioner, Traffic Safety and Operational Support

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The survey found that 96 per cent of Ontario drivers have observed dangerous driving behaviours, including speeding (78 per cent), aggressive driving (69 per cent), unsafe lane changes (68 per cent) and distracted driving (67 per cent). However, only 57 per cent admit to engaging in at least one dangerous driving behaviour, revealing a disconnect between what drivers see on the road and how they assess their own actions. This number rises to 62 per cent among drivers aged 18 to 34.

Most Drivers See Dangerous Behaviour, Fewer Admit to It

“Most Ontario drivers can identify dangerous behaviours when they see them, but many don’t realize they may be contributing to the problem themselves,” says Michael Stewart, community relations consultant, CAA South Central Ontario. “The good news is that small changes in driver behaviour can make a big difference. By slowing down, staying focused and making safe choices behind the wheel, we can help create safer roads for everyone.”

Speeding remains the most common dangerous driving behaviour reported by Ontario drivers. More than one-third (38 per cent) admit to speeding, with more than half of those drivers say they typically travel 10 to 19 km/h above the speed limit. Even small increases in speed can significantly increase the likelihood and severity of collisions. Many drivers may not realize that fines increase depending on how far over the speed limit they are travelling and can be doubled in community safety zones.

Encouragingly, most Ontarians say they slow down when they realize they are speeding, suggesting awareness and education can play an important role in changing behaviour. According to the data, 87 per cent of drivers also support the fines and penalties for speeding, and 37 per cent claim that penalties and fines affected their driving behaviour in the past year.

Distracted Driving Also Remains a Serious Concern Across the Province

A separate survey conducted by CAA SCO found that 16 per cent of Ontario drivers have been involved in a collision caused by distracted driving, a figure that has gradually increased in recent years. Rear-end collisions remain the most common type of crash associated with distraction, according to this study.

“Distracted driving is preventable, yet it continues to put lives at risk every day,” says Stewart. “Whether it’s checking a notification, interacting with in-vehicle technology or taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds, the consequences can be devastating. The safest choice is to stay focused on driving.”

As Ontarians prepare for the upcoming long weekend, CAA South Central Ontario is encouraging drivers to stay focused, alert and aware behind the wheel.

For more information about road safety advocacy and research, visit www.caasco.com/advocacy

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The original plan called for King William Street to operate as one-way southbound traffic only between Scott Street and Highway 60. Following discussions with local businesses, the District worked with the contractor to review the traffic management plan and identify a solution that would maintain two-way access through the construction zone.

To support this revised approach, additional traffic control measures will be implemented, including temporary signal modifications, additional traffic control staff, and specialized traffic control equipment.

What to Expect

• One northbound lane and one southbound lane will be maintained through the construction area.
• Lane closures are anticipated to begin this week once traffic control measures are finalized.
• Access to all businesses will be maintained throughout construction.
• Significant traffic delays and congestion are expected in both directions during contractor hours, particularly Monday through Thursday
• Traffic conditions are expected to improve during evenings and weekends when construction activities are reduced or paused.
• Motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time and consider alternative routes where possible.

The District and its contractor will continue to monitor traffic conditions and project operations throughout construction and make adjustments where practical and appropriate.

The District appreciates the feedback received from local businesses and remains committed to working collaboratively with the community throughout construction.

To stay informed and view detour details, please continue to visit: www.engagemuskoka.ca/king-william

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Drunk and drug-impaired driving increases over long summer weekends. And weekends account for nearly half of all summer deaths, according to Canada’s National Collision Database. This underscores the importance of making safe choices before getting behind the wheel, for the safety of yourself, your passengers and others sharing the roads.

“Driving high increases the risk of collisions, especially during busy travel weekends, with more traffic on the roads, drivers navigating unfamiliar routes, and increased distractions,” says Kristine D’Arbelles, managing director of public affairs, CAA National. “Planning ahead can ensure everyone arrives home safely.”

Cannabis slows reaction time and impairs key driving skills, including the ability to stay in your lane and control your speed, according to CAA-commissioned research.

To help encourage safer choices, CAA has a national campaign calling on Canadians to plan a safe ride home if they intend to consume cannabis products. To avoid the dangers around impaired driving, CAA suggests a range of safe transportation options, such as arranging for a designated driver, using public transit, booking a rideshare or taxi, or choosing to stay overnight with friends or family.

“Driving high not only puts yourself at risk, but endangers everyone else sharing the road,” says D’Arbelles. “By planning ahead and making responsible decisions this May long weekend, drivers can help reduce impaired driving incidents and keep Canada’s roads safe for everyone.”

CAA’s May Long Weekend Safety Tips:

• Plan Ahead: Before heading out for the long weekend, make transportation arrangements in advance if cannabis or other impairing substances may be involved. Having a clear plan can help avoid dangerous decisions later.
• Speak Up: Never let a friend or loved one drive while impaired. Encourage safer alternatives and help arrange another way home.
• Stay Overnight: If possible, consider staying overnight at a friend’s or family member’s home rather than attempting to drive after consuming cannabis.
• Use Safe Alternatives: Take advantage of public transportation, rideshare services, taxis, or designated drivers to ensure everyone gets home safely.

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