Vernon RCMP soon to patrol school zones

The RCMP is reminding drivers to watch their speed in school zones as students are soon to head back to the classroom.

Speed Watch operations in school zones are due to commence Sept. 8.

According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release City of Vernon RCMP Volunteers will be back in school zones Sept. 8, reminding drivers of the new speed limits.

"The purpose of the Speed Watch program is to enhance road safety, educate drivers and increase awareness around issues of unsafe speed," City of Vernon crime prevention coordinator Regan Borisenko said in the release. "Trained volunteers use a digital speed reader board to display the driver’s speed in relation to the posted speed limit in that zone."

Speed Watch volunteers will begin initially be concentrating on school zones to educate the public about the reduced speed limit once students go back to class. The volunteers will also be joined by RCMP officers to issue violation tickets to motorists. The release says the volunteers will also be setting up in different areas of the city over the next few weeks.

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