With the school year starting up, Cpl. Sonny Kim of the Boyle RCMP said it’s important for both pedestrians and drivers to be more aware of their surroundings.
“There is a speed limit in the school zone for a reason and that reason is safety,” Kim said.
The speed limit in school zones in Alberta is 30 kilometres per hour, unless otherwise posted, which is in effect in almost every school zone on school days from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. unless other times are posted. A vehicle is not permitted to pass another vehicle traveling in the same direction in either school or playground zones.
Kim said the RCMP plan to run a speed trap enforcement day in the first week or two of school.
“The speed trap will allow for more visibility of the RCMP for drivers on the roads and will help enforce the idea that we are out there and watching,” Kim said. “The other part about it is creating a scenario in which drivers have to pay more attention to their surroundings and they’ll be more likely to notice the signs in and around the school zone. We have done this before and it’s been very successful.”
Kim noted that drivers play a large role in back-to-school safety. He said that between 2004 and 2008 in Alberta, an average of approximately 305 children under the age of 15 were killed or injured when crossing the street. He added that kids don’t always know what is going on.
“We need to teach the younger people and the new kids at school that they just can’t run around and they too need to pay more attention. We want people to help teach the kids the triple-P method – point, pause, and proceed – so that kids become more aware.”
Kim added that it’s important for kids to always use the crosswalks and to not walk between parked cars because if they can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see them. This concept is also relevant when crossing in front of a school bus.
“We suggest that kids be at the bus stop at least five minutes before the school bus is supposed to arrive because they should never run after the school bus to try to catch up,” Kim said. “Kids should wait at least 10 giant steps away from the road and the younger children should practice these steps and have a designated spot so they can become familiar with this rule.”
Drivers also need to pay close attention to school bus stops. A penalty for passing a school bus with alternating flashing red lights is a $402 fine and six demerit points on a driver’s license.
“This means you must stop whether you are approaching the bus or following one,” Kim said. “It’s also always important to watch for school buses loading and unloading children, even if the lights aren’t flashing.”
It all boils down to safety and paying attention.
“Drivers should remember that in school zones there are always more kids around who haven’t been in school and paying attention for over two months and who still might be in summer mode, so we have to pay attention for them. Drivers need to be paying more attention at crosswalks and make sure to give the pedestrians or cyclists or kids on skateboards the right of way.
“The main thing is to always be alert and treat every kid like they are your own because they are somebody’s kid.”
For more on back to school safety visit www.saferoads.com.
