Stiff fines in store for speeding through school zones

RCMP are taking a zero-tolerance approach to drivers who speed through school zones as students head back to class this week.

Anyone caught exceeding the 30 km/h speed limit around local secondary and elementary schools will be issued a ticket without a warning, police said in a statement.

They will also be conducting patrols and targeted enforcement around schools, both within and outside city limits.

And they will be assisted by Citizens on Patrol volunteers equipped with radar guns and speed watch signs showing drivers exactly how fast they're going. Officers will be close by to pull over those who fail to heed the warning.

Fines begin at $196 and rise significantly with the driver's speed.

"Ensuring the safety of our children and other vulnerable road users is a priority for the RCMP," said Sgt. Matt LaBelle, in charge of the Prince George RCMP's municipal traffic services section.

School zones are in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all school days.

Regarding school buses, drivers heading in either direction must stop whenever they're in the vicinity of a bus displaying alternating red lights. It means children are getting on or off the bus and drivers must wait until the lights have stopped flashing before carrying on.

Failing to stop for a school bus yields a $167 fine.

The fine for failing to obey a crossing guard is also $167 and there are a number of schools in the Prince George area that use them.

Here are some further tips for drivers:

- Plan ahead and leave earlier to allow themselves extra time through school zones and to keep an eye out for children near or around crosswalks and intersections.

- If a vehicle in a different lane slows or stops in front of you, slow down or stop and ensure that no one is on the crosswalk before proceeding;

- Always yield to pedestrians at intersections or designated crosswalks;

Tips for parents dropping off children:

- To reduce the number of cars in school zones, parents with older children are asked to allow them to walk to school or to drop them off a few blocks away.

This will give parents with younger children more access to safer areas and those parent are also encouraged to walk their children to school.

- When dropping off children in a school one, parents are asked ensure they do so in a safe place where the children can exit onto a side walk. Don't stop in the travel portion of the road and hurry your children out.

- Review the rules of the road with their children and go over their daily route to and from school.

Tips for students:

- Use designated crossing points and follow crossing signals where available.

- Remove headphones from music players and put down the cell phone when crossing the road.

- When crossing major roads, make sure that all lanes of traffic have stopped before walking across. Often drivers in the middle lanes don't see pedestrians.

- Make eye contact with the drivers before stepping out onto crosswalks.

- Dress to be seen - daylight hours are decreasing, so wear brighter colours or reflective material whenever possible.

- Walk on the sidewalk, or if unavailable, walk on the side of the road facing the traffic.

- Walk well-lit routes with less traffic.

- Always be aware of your surroundings.