Some new signs are meant to remind drivers to watch out for kids crossing Humboldt's major roads.
Two new portable signs to make drivers aware that they are entering a school zone have been presented to all three elementary schools in Humboldt by the City of Humboldt.
The portable signs will be placed on busy streets near each of the three schools - Humboldt Public School, St. Augustine School and St. Dominic School - when school is in session. They will be out from roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every school day.
The signs, which will be put in the middle of the road, are meant to make drivers think twice and slow down, indicated city manager James Moller at a presentation ceremony at St. Augustine School on August 30.
"They definitely should grab some attention," he said.
The City had planned to have these signs ready last year, Moller indicated, but things were delayed.
"We wanted them here for the beginning of (this) school year," he stated, adding that the city will also be touching up the paint on the crosswalks around the schools once the pavers have been through.
There is no change in the speed limit in school zones in Humboldt - the city has declined to change it from 40 km/h to 30 km/h - but drivers are being asked to stick to that speed limit when school is in session.
"RCMP will begin enforcement of school zones through the city to reduce speeds and increase traffic and pedestrian safety," a news release issued by the City stated.
The signs are a welcome addition to increasing student safety around Humboldt schools. The institution of the signs was the suggestion of Carol McLaren, principal of St. Augustine School.
"This is something that needed to happen," she told the Journal, adding that all three schools lobbied the City last year for changes that would increase safety for students as they travel to and from school.
Humboldt is unique, she said, in that all three of the city's elementary schools are either located right on a major highway, like St. Augustine and Humboldt Public schools, or very near one, as in St. Dominic School's case.
All three schools reported that traffic around their buildings has increased in the past few years, especially with big trucks coming through the city.
"We had some very close calls and near misses," McLaren said of the situation at St. Augustine.
One man was even hit at the crosswalk near the school one evening after school was out, she stated.
That made McLaren stress to safety patrollers not to step foot off the curb unless traffic has stopped completely.
Their safety patrollers do a great job with that, McLaren feels. The patrollers also report people going through their guarded crosswalks, and even red lights around the school, she indicated, and the RCMP have followed up on these incidents and laid charges.
"Traffic is getting worse and worse," McLaren said.
These portable signs will absolutely make a difference, she feels.
"This is a really positive change," she said. "Definitely a step in the right direction.
"I really do want to thank all the schools and parent councils of schools who lobbied for this," she said. "This is the first step towards getting the speed zone reduced to 30 km/h," she said.
The City reminds drivers to be considerate and patient when travelling near schools for the safety of our children.
Slow down, stop for school buses, and stop at pedestrian crosswalks, they asked.
