SUNDRE – Local Mounties are reminding motorists that with students back in class, the school zone season is also back in effect.
“Sundre RCMP wants drivers to pay extra attention in school and playground zones this September,” reads part of a statement issued by the Sundre RCMP detachment's acting commander.
Cpl. Courtney Harding encourages drivers to keep in mind some of the following tips as everyone endeavours to ensure students safely return to class and resume their studies.
• Plan ahead: Allow for additional time to avoid being rushed; this can prevent speeding and enables a driver to stay more focused on safety.
• Know the rules of the road: Never exceed the posted limit in school or playground zones and keep a close eye out for any directions from crossing guards. Never pass school busses that have activated their flashing alternating red lights, with the only exception being on the other side of a divided highway; this infraction could result in fines of up to $567 and six demerits.
• Watch where you park: Avoid blocking crosswalks with your vehicle.
• Stay vigilant: Children can easily get distracted when school is starting or letting out and they may not always fully understand the rules of the road, so always watch out for kids who might be in a hurry to get to class or rushing to get home after being dismissed for the day.
Harding said the start to the school year in town so far seems to be going well.
“We’re trying to be visible in the school zones,” said told the Albertan, adding she was unaware of any violations that had resulted either in warnings or traffic tickets.
“From what I’ve seen, most people are respectful of the school zone.”
In Sundre, school zone hours are only in effect on school days from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. And while times may vary in different municipalities, the speed limit for both urban and rural school zones is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted.
Sam Zhao, the municipality’s community peace officer, said he and colleague Rob Plews have since the return to class also been “heavily focused” on the school zone, along the way walking the crosswalks and meeting the educational assistants who ensure students are safely crossing the street.
“People are generally pretty good,” Zhao said on Sept. 13, adding there are generally no issues with excessive speeds especially during the morning and afternoon peak periods of traffic.
“You can’t speed, there’s so many cars,” he said, adding Centre Street tends to get jammed up at those times of day.
And a couple of weeks into the return to school, drivers seem to once again be getting used to the routine, he said.
"We have parked a vehicle in front of the elementary school on the grass to leave it visible as a reminder,” he added.
“We haven’t stopped anybody for speeding.”
However, he said the greater area of concern is distracted driving.
“What we have seen walking the crosswalks, is cell phones; lots of people on their cell phones,” said Zhao, adding both he and Plews have approached motorists to speak with them in such instances.
“It’s going to be an ongoing thing to look after,” he said, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to the road and keeping a close eye out for kids potentially darting out unexpectedly between vehicles which even at slower speeds could result in a collision and injury.
Furthermore, the peace officer implores motorists to refrain from pulling over and stopping on the west side of Centre Street to drop off or pick up their kids, even if only for a few seconds or minutes.
“We don’t want people parking there,” he said, pointing out the curb is painted yellow.
The problem is exacerbated during the wintertime when snow starts to accumulate on the side of the road so that when a vehicle parks there, it effectively pushes southbound traffic farther over and closer to the vehicles driving up the northbound lane and increasing the risk of collisions.
Additionally, with a new batch of drivers from Sundre High School getting behind the wheel for the first time, Zhao said he and Plews have also endeavoured to introduce themselves and get to know the less experienced motorists to encourage responsible habits from the start.
