Zero tolerance for poor driving behaviours in school zones: Police

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Police and ICBC are taking the first day of school to remind drivers to slow down and pay attention.

Enforcement is being ramped up for the first few weeks of September. Officers will be cracking down specifically on people who are distracted behind the wheel as well as those who are speeding in a school zone.

“School zones around the city have been mostly vacant all summer, but will soon be busy with excited kids headed back to class,” says Vancouver Police Chief Constable Adam Palmer. “We all want our children to get to and from school safely. That will happen if everyone, including parents, slows down and pays attention.”

VPD say they have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to those whose behaviour puts children at risk. Fines range between $196 to $483 if you’re caught speeding in a school zone.

“Every BC driver has a responsibility to keep our kids, our roads and our communities safe. Back-to-school is a really busy time. So be aware, and check your driving habits. Distracted driving and ignoring flashing school bus lights will cost you even more this year with increased penalties. There are no good excuses for behaving recklessly behind the wheel. Be safe on the roads. Our kids are counting on you,” says Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris.

“Every morning and afternoon 50,000 students travel to or from our schools. Some days it will be dark, some days rainy. Whatever the conditions, we ask that you drive appropriately and be alert for our students,” explains Vancouver School Board Chair Mike Lombardi.

The limit is 30 km/h between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in school and playground zones, unless posted otherwise.

Parents worried about their children

Speeding, ignoring road signs, tailgating and being angry behind the wheel are just some of the behaviours, BCAA is reminder parents to think twice about.

A new survey shows 48 per cent of respondents, made up of parents and guardians of elementary school aged children, principals and faculty from schools across BC, think the problem is not only bad but getting worse. And 68 per cent are worried about the safety of their kids.

“It’s the Wild West in school zones during drop-off and pick-up times,” says Shawn Pettipas, BCAA manager of community impact programs. “School zones can be frantic places with not everyone on their best driving behaviour. We commissioned the survey to see the extent of the problem but the results were more concerning than even we expected.”

Survey results include
*75 per cent say they’ve seen ‘near misses’, when a child is almost struck by a car
*83 per cent witness parents/guardians speeding in school zones
*80 per cent witness parents/guardians ignoring traffic signs and road rules
*51 per cent see hostile behavior from parents and guardians such as honking and using profanities
*82 per cent witness distracted driving by parents and guardians
*88 per cent see illegal parking by parents and guardians

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