Police are warning motorists to keep an eye out as thousands of Quebec students returned to class on Monday.
Quebec’s French schools began class on Monday while most English schools return on Wednesday.
Both Montreal and Laval police said they will be out in force to ensure traffic bylaws are being respected and said drivers should particularly pay attention to when school buses stop to pick up or drop off students.
“For a couple of months there have been no kids around the school, so people tend to forget. And in the next couple of days, those little toddlers will be popping up everywhere,” said Montreal police Cmdr. Andre Durocher.
Driving past a bus when its red lights are flashing is an automatic fine of $200 and nine demerit points.
The maximum speed limit around most schools is 30 kilometres-per-hour.
Authorities also warned drivers that pedestrians have priority at crosswalks.
“The majority of people that we catch in school zones that either run through red lights or don't do stop signs are unfortunately parents,” warned Durocher.
Last year, during a month-long operation in September, Montreal police distributed almost 12,000 traffic tickets around school zones.
The police operation will last throughout September.
