It’s been more than a month since the ‘grace period’ ended for the new 30 k/h school zones in Moose Jaw.
Jay-D Haughton, public information and strategic communication manager with the Moose Jaw Police Service, spoke about how drivers have been adjusting.
“From Sept. 3 when the enforcement period started from the Moose Jaw Police Service, up until today [Oct. 15], we have issued 10 tickets. That’s combined with the municipal traffic and the provincial traffic offence.”
He added that from Jan. 1 to Sept. 3 of this year when the enforcement period came into effect, 20 tickets were issued in school zones.
“That doesn’t account for – especially just on Caribou itself - the Automated Speed Enforcement camera that they have there.”
Haughton said that to address speeding in the city, they’re currently collecting data with a traffic trailer funded by SGI that’s being parked at a number of different locations around the city, including school zones.
“If there are any school zones or areas of the city that people are speeding more in, that machine is able to track that data, and we’re able to collect it.”
At last week’s Board of Police Commissioner’s meeting, Commissioner Doug Blanc also raised a question about whether police are actively looking into people parking in 'no parking' or 'no stopping' signs in school zones, particularly when children are getting out of school.
Police Chief Rick Bourassa said it’s been a ‘perennial challenge,’ adding, “If there’s a safety issue, and someone calls, we will address it. But we just don’t have the resources to be in school zones dealing with that.”
“Our focus has been on the speed, and fortunately, one of the things is, we haven’t had any injuries in school zones, even with the parking pieces.”