The school zone speed in the Battlefords is 30 kilometers/hour, meaning going even 50 km in a school zone could net you a ticket of over $300. (File photo/battlefordsNOW)

By Martin Martinson

School zone slowdown

The importance of road safety in school zones

Sep 6, 2020 | 2:00 PM

As the final days of summer slip away and the season churns to fall, heading back to school is heavy on the minds of students, parents, and teachers, alike.

And while there may be a number of new changes to the post-COVID-19 school landscape, there are also fundamental safety principles that remain pivotal in place for the benefit of all.

Battlefords RCMP Staff Sargent, Jason Teniuk, said one thing of those principles that have not changed this fall, is the need for drivers to reduce speed, and remain aware of their surroundings when passing through a school zone.

“School zones are still 30 kilometers per hour, within the city of North Battleford and we want to ensure drivers are very aware of that,” Teniuk said. “We will have patrols out just to ensure everyone is being safe and that the kids are getting to school in a safe manner.”

Teniuk said while it is always valuable to offer a refresher on road safety heading into a new school year, this year could be especially important, with kids having been away for so long.

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“We’re moving into uncharted territory here in terms of how the kids are coming back to school and how things have gone over the past number of months,” Teniuk said. “But at the end of the day, it’s the same as always. We just want to make sure everybody gets to where they’re going safely and our children are safe as well.”

Manager of Media Relations with SGI, Tyler McMurchy, said school zones could be even busier than usual this year, due to new COVID protocols and increased efforts to shy away from larger crowds or gatherings.

“It’s expected even more parents will opt for transporting their kids themselves, rather than relying on bussing, and some school divisions around the province will be asking parents not to drop their kids off right in front of the school,” McMurchy said. “So the area surrounding the school zones will be busy, and maybe more active with people walking or cycling, so it all adds up to busy school zones.”

McMurchy said the added traffic makes it all the more important for drivers who may be passing through those school zones to take care when in the area. He added that opting to not slowdown could prove a costly decision.

“Another thing to keep in mind is that school zone tickets are more expensive than regular tickets,” he said. “For example, 20 kilometers over the limit, that’s $310 and three demerit points. So it’s a little bit more of a severe penalty than even just a regular speeding ticket.”

In addition to slowing down to posted speed limits, McMurchy said it is also very important to remain on the lookout for potential hazards; be especially cautious around school busses that may be loading and unloading, and obey crossing guards and pedestrian lights.

Parents are also encouraged to take precautions, including dropping their kids off whenever possible on the same side of the street as the school, to minimize their child’s need to cross heavy-traffic areas.

To learn more about school zone safety on the roadways, head to SGI’s website.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1