Photo Courtesy: ICBC

By Veronica Beltran

tips for drivers

380 children injured in road incidents each year: ICBC tips for drivers as children head back to school

Sep 8, 2020 | 11:23 AM

NORTH VANCOUVER—According to ICBC 380 children are injured in crashes while walking or cycling each year in accidents involving vehicles, which is why the Corporation is issuing some tips for drivers as kids head back to school this week across the province.

ICBC tips for drivers:

• Every school day, unless otherwise posted, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In playground zones, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect every day from dawn to dusk.
• Leave your phone alone, and watch for children walking or cycling. Distraction is the leading factor for drivers in crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.
• If you drop off your child in a school zone, allow them to exit the car on the side closest to the sidewalk. Never allow a child to cross mid-block.
• If a vehicle’s stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding to a pedestrian, so proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.
• Watch for school buses. When their lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop.
• Before getting into your vehicle, walk around it to make sure no small children are hidden from your view. Always look for pedestrians when you’re backing up.
• In residential areas, a hockey net or ball can mean that kids are playing nearby. Slow down and watch for children as they could dash into the street at any moment.

Every year in the North Central Interior 16 children walking or cycling are involved in crashes, and every year five children are killed in accidents involving vehicles in B.C.

ICBC says that last year 11,700 drivers were ticketed for speeding in school and playground zones across the province.

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Parents are encouraged to review ICBC’s tip sheet with their children and go over their daily route to and from school. Educators are able to teach road safety in school using road safety learning resources from ICBC. The free, downloadable materials are customized to each grade level from preschool to grade 10, and include a teacher’s manual and handout booklet for students.