Melfort RCMP issuing school zone safety reminder ahead of school year

“There are school buses, pedestrians, parents, students, and just traffic in general,” Case said. “There can be too much going on and too much for a motorist to notice.”

Case said the action around school zones makes it even more important to adhere to speed limits, or lower, in those areas during that time of day.

“There is too much potential for a young person to be struck by a vehicle, resulting in something tragic.”

The busy school zones make it even more important for pedestrians to cross the streets in designated areas, according to Case, and to allow crossing guards to do their jobs if there are some working.

Motorists and pedestrians must also keep an eye out for school buses. Case said when the arms of the bus are extended, they cannot be passed. He added that if a school bus and the other vehicles are touching the same piece of asphalt, the vehicle must stop and not pass the stopped bus.

“This is for vehicles travelling in both directions, and the configuration of the street does not matter,” explained Case. “Reynolds, Maude Burke, and MUCC [in Melfort] do a great job in this area because the school buses have a designated area to park at each school, which is not on a street.”

Because of that, Case said there is no reason for other vehicles to pass the parked buses in these areas, dramatically decreasing the safety risk for everyone. However, Brunswick School in Melfort is a different story, Case added, with vehicles passing parked buses a major issue.

“Once the school year gets started, enforcement of this law will be enforced in the school zone.”

Motorists can expect an increased police presence in school zones over the coming months, and Case said it truly does have a positive impact. However, the onus on safety isn’t solely on drivers.

“Students in school zones need to be aware of their surroundings and take the necessary steps to keep themselves safe,” said Case.

He said that much like driving defensively, defensive walking and street crossing is important and helps to ensure everyone’s safety.

Speed and reckless driving can be an issue at the high school in Melfort, according to Case.

“The worst offenders in the school zones are the students that attend the school themselves,” Case said. “Adults and parents are also to blame, but the students play a big part as well.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Melfort RCMP issuing school zone safety reminder ahead of school year

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