REGINA — As kids in Regina head back to classes for the first time this year, community partners are reminding drivers of safe practices.
During a media event Tuesday, members of SGI, the Regina Police Service (RPS), the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA), and the City of Regina stood outside St. Joan of Arc School.
“We just want to make sure drivers in our communities know to slow down, be aware of the speed limit in your community and be alert to what's happening on the road,” said Michaela Solomon, communications consultant with SGI.
Solomon noted that children are some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
“It's just all of our responsibility as the adults in the community to do what we can to keep them safe.”
RPS Cst. Anthony Rodier said there have been incidents of children struck by vehicles and reminded drivers that younger people tend to cut between cars, so going slow is crucial.
In Regina, drivers are advised to observe a speed limit of 30 km/h in a school zone from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, even when schools are closed.
Any driver caught speeding in a school zone will be fined $170 for a baseline fee, which increases by $4 for every kilometre over the limit. There is also a $60 victims-of-crime surcharge and demerit points applied to the driver’s licence.
Drivers are prohibited from making U-turns in a school zone and are advised to watch for signage indicating where parking is allowed.
To ensure drivers are following the rules of the road, the RPS will conduct traffic projects at schools throughout the year.
Rodier said these projects could include mandatory testing for alcohol to ensure everyone’s safety.
The City of Regina has also implemented a Vision Zero framework, a data-driven strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and major injuries in the city.
“[We’re] installing new signage to make it clear that drivers are in a school zone, making it safer for pedestrians to cross the street and school zones with new crosswalks and upgrades to existing pedestrian crossings,” said Chris Warren, City of Regina director of roadways and transportation.
Warren added that Regina will continue to work with local school divisions, the RPS and SGI to identify areas to improve school zone safety.
