School zone enforcement returns

“The people who have students in the school system are well aware that it’s back to school today, but for those who don’t have kids within the school system, this one kind of takes them off guard,” Cooper said.

Unlike holidays that occur on the same date each year, the start of the school year varies depending on where the Labour Day weekend falls, creating confusion for some motorists.

“They never know when it’s going to be because it changes with where the Labour Day weekend falls. So it’s not the same every year, kind of like Christmas is,” she explained. “This one catches most people who don’t have kids often very unawares.”

Whether drivers are aware or not, authorities say enforcement efforts began immediately Tuesday morning.

RCMP detachments across Northern BC were active in school zones throughout the region looking for motorists exceeding posted speed limits.

“RCMP across northern BC will be out in the school districts that are going back to school today watching for speeders in our school zones,” Cooper said. “We’re really trying to hammer home the idea that this is back to school today and that drivers need to take that responsibility on themselves to be watching out for kids.”

She noted that the first day of school brings a special energy to neighbourhoods around educational facilities, but that excitement can sometimes lead students to become distracted.

“If you stop by or walk near an elementary school today or a high school, you’re going to feel the excitement,” Cooper said.

That enthusiasm is also reflected in collision statistics gathered by ICBC.

According to Tracey Hoffman, ICBC’s Road Safety and Community Coordinator, children and youth face a significantly higher risk of being involved in crashes during the school commute.

“Our data shows that minors are more than twice as likely to be involved in crashes during their morning and afternoon school commute,” Hoffman said.

The statistics become even more concerning during the first month of the school year.

“In fact, crashes in September during those times increase by 37 per cent,” she said.

The figures highlight the importance of driver awareness during a period when established summer traffic patterns suddenly change. More children are walking, cycling, crossing streets and getting on and off school buses. Many younger students may be making the trip to school independently for the first time, while older students may be focused more on reconnecting with friends than paying attention to surrounding traffic.

To help reinforce the safety message, ICBC representatives were stationed near Ecole College Heights Tuesday morning handing out personalized “Think of Me” cards to motorists.

The cards were created by local students and are intended to put a face to the safety campaign by reminding drivers that the children they see near schools are members of the community whose safety depends on responsible driving.

“I had students from Ecole College Heights complete these last June so that we could hand these out this morning to drivers,” Hoffman explained. “Just to really get the message across that they need to stay focused on the road and slow down.”

The campaign is one of several initiatives undertaken by ICBC and law enforcement agencies each year to encourage safer driving habits in school zones. Officials say simple actions such as reducing speed, eliminating distractions and being prepared to stop can significantly reduce the risk of collisions involving children.

Police are also reminding motorists that school zone violations can come with substantial financial consequences.

“The penalties range depending on how much over the speed limit that you might be,” Cooper said.

Information regarding fines and penalties is available online through provincial and law enforcement websites, but Cooper emphasized that avoiding a ticket should not be the primary motivation for slowing down.

“It’s really important that you just slow down and not risk that one out,” she said.

For many drivers, the return of school speed zones serves as an annual reminder to adjust their habits following the summer months. Traffic volumes increase, pedestrian activity rises and road users must share space with some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Authorities are encouraging drivers to leave extra travel time during the morning and afternoon commute, scan carefully for children entering crosswalks and obey all posted speed limits.

School zone speed limits are now officially back in effect throughout the province. In BC, motorists must observe the reduced speed limit in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise posted.

As students settle into another school year, RCMP and ICBC officials hope the message resonates with drivers: slow down, stay alert and help ensure every child makes it safely to and from school.

by Cheryl Jahn

School zone enforcement returns

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