With youth back to school it is important for drivers to remember to be wary when driving through school zones.
Obeying traffic signs is important for the safety of everyone. Often drivers become upset over having to slow down while passing through school zones with speeds ranging from 25 km/hr in Arcola to 30 km/hr in Carlyle and Manor as examples.
Slowing down through these zones is extremely important as youth may be taught to look both ways before crossing the street; but, often young people may forget causing them to dart out into the street after a ball during recess or after school when they see their parents waiting at the car. Drivers need to be alert and prepared to stop for this reason.
The Observer calculated travel times across 200 metres of school zone at the recommend speed of 30 km/hr only takes 24 seconds. At 25 km/hr the same 200 metres takes 25 seconds, while 40 km/hr achieves a time of 18 seconds and 50 km/hr results in a time of 15 seconds.
In the grand scheme time differences between travelling 40 km/hr and 25km/hr is minimal, yet people often complain of having to slow down to such speeds through these zones. However, the difference in time it takes to stop could mean a life. At 25 km/hr a vehicle will take three and a half metres to make a complete stop. While travelling 30 km/hr it takes a typical vehicle five metres to stop, at 40 km/hr it takes nine metres to stop, and 50 km/hr takes 14 metres to come to a complete stop. This information was obtained through the “Stopping Distance Calculator” on Forensic Dynamics Inc.’s website, which specializes in accident reconstructions. The calculator generates the approximate distance needed to stop based on speed and altered by road conditions.
When speaking with the Carlyle division of the RCMP, it was discovered that fines for speeding through a school zone begin at $190 and increase for every kilometre over the limit at double the usual rate.
In addition to needing to be aware while driving through school zones, it is necessary to practice diligence when approaching a school bus either loading or unloading students. When a school bus has its stop arm out and lights flashing drivers, approaching from either the rear or the opposite direction, must stop.
“The single greatest threat to the safety of children who ride school buses is motorists who pass the bus when children are loading and unloading,” the Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook reads.
Instructions from the handbook follow stipulating youth are to stop at least five metres or 15 feet from the bus. Vehicles are to remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted and the flashing lights are turned off.
Passing a school bus with its warning lights and stop arm out is considered a serious offence, which will result in a fine of $360 and comes with a loss of four points on your licence.
The only instance where people on the same road as the bus may continue travelling is if the bus has stopped on a divided highway and you are travelling in the opposite direction, otherwise vehicles travelling behind are required to stop.
RCMP is also concerned with distracted driving, which often comes with drivers - whether high school students or parents - checking messages on their phones.
Fines for using an electronic communication device while driving are $280 and this comes with a loss of four points off of your licence.
In relation to driving while distracted, people are encouraged to ensure their children wear seatbelts. If they are moving around excessively in the car it can become a distraction to the driver as well.
