Ridge Meadows RCMP are warning drivers to slow down and be aware of their surroundings when children head back to school on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Cpl. Eric Obermayer, head of the Road Safety Target Team with the Ridge Meadows RCMP, will be out enforcing the 30km/hr speed limit in school zones along with his team.
“With school being out for the last few months, we have all gotten a bit used to not having to slow down when driving through school zones,” said Obermayer.
“With the new school year about to begin, police are reminding drivers to slow down and drive with caution or face fines from $196 up to $253,” he advised.
According to ICBC, 51 children, from five years to 18-years-old, are injured in crashes every year in school and playground zones and three children are killed and 359 are injured in crashes while walking or cycling every year.
In the Lower Mainland two children walking or cycling are killed and 267 are injured, and in school and playground zones, 35 children are injured in crashes every year.
The provincial insurance corporation says it has invested $1,250,000 in 101 projects focused on school safety since 2016.
Last year alone, ICBC advises, they have completed 27 projects including upgrades like: adding pedestrian signals to crosswalks; rapid rectangular flashing beacons; raised medians; pedestrian refuge islands; speed reader boards; and speed humps.
In addition to watching your speed in a school zone, ICBC recommends drivers: to leave their phone alone; watch for children walking or cycling as distracted and inattentive driving is one of the leading causes of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists; to proceed with caution and be prepared to stop if a vehicle stops in front of your or in the lane next to you as they may be yielding to a pedestrian; watch for school buses and be aware when their lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop; walk around your vehicle before getting into it to make sure there are no small children hidden from view and always look for pedestrians when backing up; make sure your headlights, brake, and turn indicator lights are clear, visible and in good working condition at all times; and in residential areas, to slow down and watch for children as they could dash into the street at any moment.
ICBC is also giving tips to parents like: practicing the walk to school with their child ahead of time; if driving to drop off their child in a school zone, exiting on the side closest to the sidewalk; to teach their child the basics of crossing the street and to walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk, further from traffic; to cross at intersections with a pedestrian crossing light or marked crosswalk, if possible; to put away electronic gadgets, cell phones, and ear buds to be able to scan for approaching vehicles or to hear the traffic; to wear bright clothing and reflective gear in the dark months; and to discourage play around railways.
Obermayer also wants to remind drivers that younger children might not be as aware of their surroundings and driving the speed limit will all a car greater time and distance in order to avoid a potential collision.
He is hoping drivers will take these last few days leading up to the start of the school year to become familiar with the school zones in their area. He said police often hear from drivers that they were unaware they were driving through a school zone.
The worst areas are around Pitt Meadows Elementary, Laity View Elementary, Albion Elementary, Webster’s Corners Elementary, Hammond Elementary, and Maple Ridge Elementary.
“They are commuter routes, typically, and people are trying to get somewhere fast,” he explained.
The 30 km/hr speed limit in school zones is in effect from 8-5 p.m. on regular school days, when not posted, and at extended times stated in a sign.
He noted drivers should also slow down in park zones, which, he said, is also a 30 km/hr speed zone from dawn until dusk.