With students getting ready to resume their education, RCMP detachments throughout the Cariboo want their return to be a safe one.
100 Mile House Sargeant Brian Lamb reminds motorists at the start of the school year speed zones will be enforced.
“The speed limit is 30 kilometres per hour. Some are 7 am to 5 pm and some are 8 to 5 depending on what the sign says. We expect all motorists to exercise that speed limit and be mindful that there are going to be school kids in those areas.”
Lamb said to take that extra time to slow down, be mindful of your surroundings and proceed through school zones cautiously.
“If you’re travelling in any area where you see a school bus expect it to make frequent stops. If its lights are flashing it is the law that you must stop and adhere to those lights until students are clear from that area. Police also asks you be mindful of kids walking to and from school as not all of them take the bus to school.”
Lamb said with the younger kids you have to expect the unexpected.
“A lot of them are excited about going back to school and may not be looking both ways when they cross the street sometimes. So do keep in mind that they could dart out in front of your vehicle. Again take that extra time and slow down.”
Lamb said last year’s back to school experience in the South Cariboo saw a majority of the motorists adhering to the speed zones and stopping for school buses.
“Throughout the school year we did receive numerous complaints in regards to people who weren’t stopping for the school bus or speeding through the area. There were certain things our detachment did that included liasoning with the Citizen’s On Patrol and using the Speed Board to determine if there is a problem in these areas, as well as proactive enforcement.”
Lamb said you can expect that you are going to see a police car in these areas and the fines for speeding and school buses can be quite steep.
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