As students return, RCMP ask drivers to obey school zone speed limits

As kids head back to school, police in B.C. are reminding drivers to be extra cautious on the road.

The first few weeks of a new school year are always hectic, according to an RCMP media release. Drivers are asked to be aware and remember school speed zones and crosswalks, as well as loading and unloading areas for school buses and parent vehicles.

To make the roads safer, RCMP are asking drivers to be patient and give yourself plenty of time around schools and playgrounds, when backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage look for children walking or biking, slow down and scan your surroundings, remove all distractions including talking on your phone or texting, and remember that speed zones near playgrounds are in effect from dawn until dusk, not from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. like school zones.

Police are urging parents to teach their children safe habits for walking or biking to school, especially since bicycles are expected to follow the rules of the road.

If there is no sidewalk available, children should walk facing traffic and be especially cautious of vehicles when crossing at crosswalks.

Officers will be making rounds in school zones as the school year begins.

School buses = kids. #backtoschool #roadsafety pic.twitter.com/ihKNVTEuB3

— BC Transportation (@TranBC) September 5, 2017

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