With the new school year about to begin, Terrace RCMP are reminding parents, students, and drivers to keep safety in mind.
Starting Tuesday, Sept. 2, school zone speed limits are back, and police have said they’ll be watching.
Unless signs say otherwise, school zones are 30 kilometres an hour from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days. Playground zones are also 30 kilometres an hour, but those rules apply every day from dawn until dusk. According to ICBC, about 359 kids in B.C. are hurt each year while walking or biking, and police are hoping extra awareness and enforcement will help bring that number down.
Drivers are being told to watch out for school buses and remember to stop when the lights are flashing. Police are also asking people to put their phones away and pay attention to the road, especially in neighbourhoods where kids might suddenly run into the street.
Parents are encouraged to remind their kids about road safety. That means stopping at the curb, looking both ways, making eye contact with drivers, and waiting until cars have fully stopped before crossing. Kids should walk their bikes or scooters across crosswalks, and anyone under 16 isn’t allowed to ride an electric scooter on the road.
Police said breaking these rules in a school zone can be expensive. Going less than 21 kilometres over the limit will cost you $196, while going 21 or more over is a $253 fine. Not stopping for a school bus will set you back $368.
“Let’s keep our eyes on the road and slow down this school year,” said Constable Kelly Cates. “It’s everyone’s job to help keep our students safe.”
RCMP said drivers can also expect to see more officers in school zones next week as a reminder that classes are back in session
