The Prince George RCMP Traffic Unit and RCMP patrol volunteers were out in force Tuesday morning monitoring drivers in school zones and raising awareness that reduced speed limits are back in effect with the start of the new school year.
It resulted in the highest number of back-to-school driving violations in recent years, the RCMP reported.
Police issued eight tickets and 15 warnings to drivers for speeding.The speed limit is 30 kilometres an hour on school days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during extracurricular school activities at all K-12 public and independent schools.
“Considering that we were not conducting our enforcement covertly, it is disappointing to have caught so many drivers exceeding the school zone speed limits in the two hours we were conducting enforcement yesterday," states media relations officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper. "It speaks to a level of distraction that is concerning around a school."
Police focused on Peden Hill Elementary and Spruceland Elementary School, known to police as areas that often see drivers speeding through marked school zones. Officers set up in plain view of motorists at the start and end of the shortened first day, and brought speed boards to display to approaching motorists just how fast they're moving.
Other drivers who passed through those zones Tuesday may end up having to pay a fine. While RCMP officers can issue tickets immediately, patrol volunteers gather the information of speeding vehicles and pass that on to traffic officers, who will send the registered owner a ticket stating that the vehicle has been clocked exceeding the limit.
In addition to the speeders, a driver was spotted using his cell phone while driving through a school zone. He was pulled over and police determined he was prohibited from driving.
He received a ticket for using an electronic device while driving, a driver’s license suspension notice and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The driver will also have to attend court.
“With the start of the school season, we are asking drivers to avoid distractions and watch for children, especially near schools, parks and residential areas,” said Tracey Hoffman, local ICBC road safety co-ordinator. “We encourage parents and caregivers to give their children a refresher on road safety and practice their route to and from school if they’ll be walking or cycling.”
Police officers and RCMP patrol volunteers will continue to conduct school zone speed enforcement in the weeks ahead to reinforce the message
There are more RCMP tips for back-to-school driving here.
