By Curtis Galbraith

STEP/BEEP

Enforcement Services focuses on school zone traffic violations

Sep 2, 2020 | 8:01 AM

Enforcement Services will be watching for traffic violations in and near school zones during September’s Selected Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

Sergeant Ross Gear says they want to remind people that the speed limit in school zones is again 30 kilometres an hour.

“That’s a very important number, 30 kilometres an hour because studies have shown that at 30 kilometres an hour, if the worst happens and a child runs out in front of a car for whatever reason or something else happens, the driver has enough time and distance to stop safely. Even 10 kilometres, even up to 40 kilometres an hour, really affects that braking time and reaction time.”

School zones are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on all school days. Fines go higher for every kilometre above the speed limit. The province has a chart that specifies fine amounts.

Gear adds this is brand new for the kids too, especially the ones just starting school. He calls going back to school after a longer than usual time away “uncharted territory.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“The kids might have forgotten some of the rules about crossing streets and we’d want all caregivers and adults to really watch the children and make sure that they’re following the rules and that they’re crossing safely.”

Gear is also asking people to watch for changes to protocols for picking up and dropping off kids.

“We’ll adapt and we’ll figure out ways of getting around the protocols and becoming more efficient. But, I’d ask everybody as school starts, have patience, support each other. We’re in this together, so (we’ve) just got to have that extra patience and really think about our children and think about keeping them safe.”

Enforcement Services is also asking drivers to watch for other vehicles that may hide pedestrians, watch for kids between parked vehicles, and keep to an eye out for school safety patrols.

The Bylaw Enforcement Education Program (BEEP) for September will be focused on illegal parking and stopping in school zones. That includes parking within five metres of a crosswalk, parking in no parking or no stopping areas, blocking a sidewalk, or parking on the wrong side of the street. Most parking offences can lead to a $78 ticket.