School’s in and drivers need to follow the law or pay big fines

 

Summer break is officially over. With a new school year comes a bit of chaos especially in the first couple of weeks as parents, teachers, and students get back into their routines. The Whitecourt RCMP would like to remind motorists to be extra cautious in school zones, crosswalks, and around buses. “We want everyone to get where they are going safely,” said Sgt. Ferdais of the Whitecourt Integrated Traffic Unit.

 

All zones are in effect, and unless otherwise posted, school zones are 30 km/h from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. There used to be stipulations that drivers could speed up during certain windows of time but that was replaced with the new times several years ago. From early morning through until just before suppertime drivers need to be extra mindful of where they are driving. As for playground zones, speed restrictions of 30 km/h are required from 8:30 a.m. until one hour after sunset.

 

Sgt. Ferdais said illegal parking can be an issue around schools. “Many people drop off and pick up their children at school and while they may feel that stopping or parking illegally may not hurt anyone please remember that there are many people coming and going, and illegal parking causes congestion in these areas. Also, it only takes a second for a child to walk into a vehicle’s blind spot and not be seen by a driver.”

 

Police officers and Alberta sheriffs will be conducting enforcement to keep children safe. Parking at an improper angle can set you back $78 as can stopping or parking within five metres of a stop sign, yield sign, or crosswalk. One of the most dangerous things a motorist can do is not yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and, as such, the penalty for doing so is large. The ticket for a motorist entering a crosswalk before a pedestrian reaches the sidewalk can reach a whopping $776.

 

Another issue that is an extreme hazard for students is when vehicles pass buses that have their light arms extended and lights flashing. Children can exist and cross traffic on both sides of the road which means there isn’t a safe way to pass the bus. Motorists must stop and not proceed until the lights have stopped flashing and the arm is no longer extended. Failure to do so puts the lives of children in danger and can result in a fine of $543.

 

Tina Prodaniuk, Crime Prevention Co-ordinator, said motorists need to exercise a high level of awareness. “The detachment doesn’t want to give out tickets but, unfortunately, some people need to be reminded. In school zones, crosswalks, and around buses it’s a harsh reminder because the tickets are very expensive. Nobody wants to be that person so just be aware. It’s basic information but it’s so important,” said Prodaniuk.

Early in the school year, students will be taught the Point, Pause, and Proceed process which aims to help them safely use crosswalks as they get to and from school. Prodaniuk asks that drivers be extra vigilant in those areas as children get used to the process. “As children reach a crosswalk they are taught to point in the direction they wish to go, wait for traffic to see them and make eye contact with drivers, and going only once it’s safe to proceed.” She said children can be nervous and that drivers need to be patient. “If you are going through a school zone, make sure you aren’t sipping on your coffee or distracted in any other way and know that these little people are just trying to get from A to B.”

 

With the added activity, another issue that often pops up is littering in school yards and parking lots. In previous years and throughout the summer, it had been reported that litter was a problem near a couple of schools including Hilltop. Specifically, the concerning area was in the arena parking lot across the street where students tend to park. Prodaniuk said the issue surprised her a little. “I think as citizens of Whitecourt, we care about where we live, and to have this littering going on is frustrating. Ownership must be on the people who are there, and I don’t think it’s just the youth who are littering. It’s a very nice area for them to hang out in and I hope everyone who parks there this school year or frequents the area that if they see something on the ground to pick it up and put it in the garbage.”