Grande Prairie Enforcement Services is encouraging drivers to keep safety in school zones top of mind for the rest of the school year. In the first two weeks of September, 200 tickets were handed out for speeding in school zones in the City of Grande Prairie, between Peace Officers on scene and Automated Traffic Enforcement.
In addition, nine tickets for parking violations were handed out in school zones during that time, and 31 drivers were given verbal warnings.
School zones are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on any school day. The maximum speed limit in these areas is 30 km/h. The speed limit in a playground zone is 30 km/h between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and one hour after sunset.
It is illegal to pass another vehicle that is moving in the same direction in either a school zone or playground zone during the times that these zones are in effect.
When it comes to moving traffic violations, some safety tips for motorists to keep in mind include:
- Know and obey the 30 km/h speed limit in all school and playground zones.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop.
- Pay extra attention at intersections or mid-block crosswalks as other vehicles may hide a pedestrian crossing the road.
- Watch for the school safety patrollers in their bright vests and always follow their direction.
- Use caution when backing out of parking stalls or driveways.
- Watch for children between parked vehicles as they may dart onto the street without warning.
Common school zone parking offences observed include:
- Parking within five metres of a crosswalk or intersection;
- Parking in an area signed as no parking or no stopping;
- Parking or encroaching on a sidewalk; and
- Parking on the wrong side of the street (on a two-way street), commonly referred to as left wheels to curb.
Information provided by the Grande Prairie Police Service