As students head back to school this week, Chilliwack’s ‘Safer City’ program partners are reminding motorists that school zones are back in effect. The speed limit in school zones is 30 km/h on school days from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“For the safety of our children drivers are required to slow down in 30 km/h school zones. Even if it looks like there are no children on the sidewalks, they can appear from between parked vehicles or from places you may not expect them,” said Chilliwack RCMP Cpl. Lee Dyson. “All of us need to pay attention to the rules of the road and make sure the children get to and from school safely. Everyone needs to slow down and pay special attention when in a school zone. Our Chilliwack traffic services members will be out in school zones to help remind people to slow down, as well as to keep distractions to a minimum to prevent an avoidable tragedy”
The Chilliwack RCMP and Speed Watch will be focussing extra attention on school zones this fall to monitor and enforce driver behaviour in our school zones.
A motorist speeding within a 30 km/hr school zone could face a minimum fine of $196 to a maximum of $483, a penalty of three to six points on his or her record as well as having the vehicle impounded for seven days, depending on how excessive the speed is over the posted speed limit.
There is a direct correlation between an increase in vehicle speeds and the increase of risk of injury, Cpl. Dyson said. Pedestrian safety is each driver’s and pedestrian’s responsibility.
Parents are also reminded to talk with their children about what to do before they cross a road. Teaching a child to use their eyes and their ears to, Stop, Look and Listen, always; even if there is a crossing guard or traffic signals to assist them.
Distractions are equally dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians - put away cell phones and take out ear buds.