Sundre motorists are being reminded that school zones will be in effect starting on September 1, with fines for speeders starting at $57 and rising steeply with increased speeds.
Kevin Heerema, the town's community peace officer, says motorists can expect to see him and RCMP officers conducting lots of school zone enforcement in the weeks and months ahead.
School zones in Sundre are in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every school day.
“We are not divided up like some other municipalities. Ours is just 8 to 4 to avoid any confusion,” he said.
“I want to remind people that passing is not permitted in school or playground zones. A good example is we quite often see folks heading up Centre Street and when some drivers are turning left onto 2nd Avenue, you'll see people try to sneak around on the right and that is not permitted. The fine for that is $172.”
Heerema also says even motorists who are obeying the speed limit should drive with caution whenever in school or playground zones.
“Children don't always cross in the safest places, and they will sometimes just run out in front of the buses,” he said. “We are obviously not in favour of that, but it does happen so drivers should be aware of that.”
Community peace officers from across Mountain View County will be conducting school zone safety blitzes in September, he said.
“We'll be stopping folks and reminding them of the school zone times and speed limits,” he said.
Heerema is also reminding residents that discharging fireworks anywhere in town without written permission from the Town of Sundre is prohibited.
Under bylaw #763, violators face fines starting at $100.
