September marks the return of students to classrooms, and the Lord Selkirk School Division (LSSD) is reminding motorists to put safety first.
Beginning Sept. 1, school zone speed limits come into effect, requiring drivers to slow to 30 km/h from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“It’s just a matter of getting back into the groove of school zone speeds,” said Joey Turek, LSSD’s transportation manager. “There is going to be extra traffic out on the roads, there are going to be a ton of pick-ups and drop offs and we are going to have lots of little kids crossing the school zones so it is essential you slow down.”
Drivers are also reminded they must stop when a school bus’s red lights are flashing and stop arms are extended. Most of LSSD’s buses are equipped with cameras, and anyone caught passing a bus stop sign will be reported to the Selkirk RCMP. The offence carries a $673 fine.
“It’s steep, but it needs to be there,” said Turek. “At the end of the day there is no excuse to go through a stop sign and risk student safety.”
Last school year, the division reported more than 100 violations to RCMP, with problem areas including Manitoba Avenue, Highway 8 and Highway 9.
“It definitely happens more than we like, and I hope this year we are able to reduce the number of tickets issued,” Turek said.
LSSD operates 46 bus routes that carry 2,435 students, about 60 per cent of total enrolment.
Turek’s top safety tip for motorists this fall is patience.
“I get that it can be frustrating having to slow down or stop completely, but it only takes a bus about 20 to 30 seconds to complete their pick up or drop off—it only takes a short time to save someone’s life.”
