SGI: 'Slow and steady wins the A’s in school zones'

SGI had some tips for the first day of school. Manager of Media Relations Tyler McMurchy split them up for two different groups:

Drivers    

• Drive without distraction; leave the phone alone and just drive.  
• Pay attention to pedestrian crossing lights and crossing guards.   
• Exercise caution around school buses as they are loading and unloading.  
• Avoid U-turns in school zones (some municipalities have by-laws that prohibit them).    
• Don’t add to school zone congestion; obey the signs declaring “no stopping” zones.    
• If you’re dropping kids off, do it on the same side of the street as the school.   

Parents   

• Never drop kids off at crosswalks. Teach them to cross at crosswalks and not jaywalk.
• When they do cross, they should look both ways, make eye contact with the driver and wait for the vehicle to come to a complete stop.    

Those are just some ways to #KeepKidsSafe, as thousands of excited kids across Saskatchewan will be heading back to classes this week. One thing people need to remember this, and every school year, is a reduced speed limit in school zones. The lower speed limits are in place for good reason – school zones are hives of activity with the bustle of students, teachers and parents SGI states.

"Drivers who obey the adjusted speed limit and avoid distractions like cellphone use when passing through school zones will find themselves at the head of the class."

JP Cullen, Chief Operating Officer of SGI Auto Fund talked about the busy nature within a school zone.

“We have students of all ages entering and exiting buses, playing on playgrounds and walking or running in crosswalks and pedestrian crossings. Some of those students, as excited as they may be getting back to school and seeing their friends, may not be paying attention to vehicle traffic on the roads. That’s why drivers need to slow down and be aware of everything that is going on around them.”  

Slowing down is important because it allows a driver more reaction time and will help in preventing a collision. One more important thing should deter drivers with a heavy foot.

"Getting caught speeding through a school zone, however, comes with a punishment worse than being sent to the principal’s office."  

An example sees a driver caught going 20 km/h over the posted limit would be $310.   

The release also states how kids don’t always follow directions and their attention to instruction may come and go. That’s why drivers need to be extra aware, and watch for kids potentially coming out into traffic. Also extra important, when school buses are stopped with amber lights flashing, drivers need to slow down and ensure it is safe before passing.