Entering the school zone - it's back to school and caution for drivers

By Contributor

As of 8:00 am on Sept. 6, excited children will be walking, biking and jumping off of school buses all over the province, and drivers need to pay attention. 

 

Research shows that most child pedestrian related injuries occur in September and October, followed by May and June, and that children aged five to 14 years are at the greatest risk for pedestrian-related fatalities. 

 

The BCAA Road Safety Foundation recommends avoiding driving through school zones if possible throughout the school year.  

 

“That goes for parents too,” says David Dunne, director of road safety programs for the foundation. “Parents that drive their children to and from school are actually the biggest danger to child pedestrians and cyclists around schools.  The congestion caused by so many vehicles creates a very dangerous environment.” 

 

School staff and parents continue to report incidents of drivers making U-turns, stopping in no-stopping zones, backing up into crosswalks, rolling through stop signs, ignoring the school safety patrollers, letting their children out from the driver’s side into oncoming traffic.  

 

The most common offence is still speeding, says Dunne.

 

Linda Lawlor, the BCAA Road Safety Foundation’s school safety program coordinator says that there is also a message for children who text or talk on their cell phones or have earphones on while walking or cycling to school.  

 

“Kids should not be talking or texting on their cell phones when they are in intersections or school zones because they become less aware of situations around them when they are distracted by the use of these devices.” 

 

There is strong evidence from research with 10 and 11-year-old children that talking on a cell phone while crossing a street increases a child's risk of being struck by a vehicle by up to one third. 

 

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is celebrating 82 years as the largest sponsor of School Safety Patrol programs in Canada. Supporting local community-based programs across the nation, their Back to School Month awareness campaign focuses on safety tips and information for child pedestrians, cyclists and school bus riders. 

 

Serious or fatal injury is preventable, if parents, caregivers and drivers take an active role in keeping all kids safe, says Lawlor who is pleased that schools around B.C. are implementing school safety patrol programs to help protect their students.

  

For more information about school safety in B.C. visit: www.BCAARoadSafety.ca.

 

SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY TIPS: 

 

For Drivers: 

 

·         Stop and Slow Down - In or near school and residential areas, and always be prepared to stop at marked crosswalks.

·         Look for Clues - Such as School Zone signs, BCAA School Safety patrollers, bicycles, and playgrounds which indicate children could be in the area.

·         Parked Cars - Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children could dart into the road.

·         Weather - Practice extra caution in adverse weather conditions.

·         Commute Times - Pay particular attention near schools during the morning and afternoon hours. Reduce speed to 30 km/h in school zones on weekdays 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

·         School Buses - Always stop for school buses when their red lights are flashing for loading and unloading students.

·         Expect the Unexpected – Kids darting out from between parked cars, other vehicles backing up, rolling through stop signs, pulling away without signalling, and making U-turns. 

 

For Families: 

 

·         Walking - Walking car pools and buddies are great ways to get to school. Parents can take shifts and walk along a prescribed route picking up and dropping off children at designated stops along the way. Friends can meet up the same way to walk to and from school together while older students take on the responsibility of walking with younger students on their way to or from school.

·         Safe Routes – It is important that children travel along the safest routes possible to and from school. Children should walk on sidewalks if possible, cross at light–controlled or patrolled crosswalks, and avoid wooded areas or places where there is very little activity on the streets.

·         Bike Riding – Helmets must be worn by law. Bright clothing with reflective strips and equipping bikes with front and rear lights adds to rider safety. All riders should be properly trained to ride a bicycle and understand and obey the rules of the road.

·         Public transportation - The above strategies can also be modified with students using transit instead of walking or riding to school.

·         Visibility - Make sure children are visible to other road users - wearing light coloured or reflective clothing if they will be out in low light. Make sure that small children understand that they are sometimes impossible for a driver to see. Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the intersection.

·         Know the Rules – Make sure that your kids get proper supervision by an adult that understands the rules and models safe practices.

·         No Cell Phones or Electronic Devices - Teach children not to use their cell phones while crossing streets, and to give their full attention to the environment around them.

 

FINES AND PENALTIES: 

Most school zone speed limits are 30 km/h in effect weekdays between 8am and 5pm.

 

Speed Against a Highway Sign   Fine    Penalty          Points

< 21 kms per hour over posted speed              $138             3 
21-40 kms per hour over posted speed            $196             3 
41- 60 km/h over posted speed                        $368              3 + 7 day vehicle impound **
Greater than 60 km/h over posted speed         $483              3 + 7 day vehicle impound **
** for first contravention
 (Source:  British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)

 

** New Excessive Speed Penalties - Introduced in September 2010

If you are caught speeding greater than 40 km over the posted speed limit you will automatically have your car impounded for seven days for a first offence, 30-days for a second offence, and 60-days for any subsequent offences within two years. You’ll also pay to get your car out. Towing and seven days of storage will cost you at least $210, a 30-day impoundment will cost around $700, while a 60-day impoundment will cost over $1200. (Source:  British Columbia Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles)