WESTLOCK - With students across the region heading back to school Sept. 2, RCMP remind drivers to take extra care.
Although there may be slightly less volume on the streets and highways this week due to the staggered openings in Pembina Hills, Aspen View and at St. Mary School in Westlock, the fact remains that drivers need to get back in the habit of slowing through school and playground zones and exercising caution around school buses.
School zones operate from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — these hours vary for different towns and cities according to municipal bylaws. If a municipality does establish different times they're posted beneath the school sign — in the case of Westlock, school zones run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days.
Drivers are not permitted to pass, or attempt to pass another vehicle travelling in the same direction within a school zone, when the zone is in effect. The speed limit for both urban and rural school zones is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted.
“It’s been a long time since school’s been in so people need to be cautious, extra cautious,” warned Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt. Al Baird. “And that’s for drivers and pedestrians — the people walking need to make sure they’re crossing safely to reduce any chance of mishaps.”
In Westlock, Baird said they’ll spend some extra time policing school zones this week and work in conjunction with the community peace officer. The Town of Westlock, unlike Barrhead and Athabasca, already has a 40 km/h speed limit on local roads which slows drivers already.
“Especially at the beginning of the year we’ll have some extra patrols around the schools. And I know the CPOs (community peace officers) are also out — it’s really seamless. If there’s any issues we see, or they see we pass that back and forth. Since I’ve been here we’ve been fortunate that we’ve had no serious incidents.”
Of note for school zones is R.F. Staples School in Westlock, whose southern border is touched by Highway 18 (100th Street). Since it’s a provincial highway the 30 km/h and 40 km/h speed limits do not apply. As well, it’s where the school buses enter and exit and is also the student parking lot.
“It’s situated in a unique spot and we do get the odd complaint, but nothing continual. But drivers should be paying more attention there as you get students walking and the added vehicle traffic from buses and vehicles.”
School buses are a continual area of concern for not only RCMP, but school divisions as there are numerous reports yearly of drivers blowing by parked buses with their lights engaged — Pembina Hills’ website provides a form drivers can fill out asking them to make note of vehicle’s licence plate number and vehicle description (make, model, colour) and the time and place of the incident.
“They need to be cognizant of the buses, too. And not passing them when their signs are out as that’s a hefty fine ($543 fine and six demerits),” said Baird.
