Kamloops RCMP urging caution as students prepare to return to class after Labour Day

Students and staff will be occupying the halls of Snine Elementary on Copperhead Drive for the very first time this fall. Napier said there are plans for an educational campaign on Sept. 14, to help drivers in the Pineview Valley area familiarize themselves around Kamloops’ first new school since 2001.

“Our Speed Watch team is active throughout the year,” Napier said. “We are targeting different areas within the community, but certainly during the school year, we have a specific focus on our school zones.”

“Those are real-time reminders to drivers in the school zones to give them that instant feedback of their speeds.”

Across B.C., school zone speed limits are 30 km/h, and they’re in effect between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, unless the sign says otherwise. Police are also urging caution outside of school zones, and say drivers should also remember to stop for school buses if their lights are flashing.

Fines for speeding in school zones start at $196 and it could reach as much as $483 for excessive speeding. Drivers who fail to stop for school bus will be fined a minimum $368, while failing to yield to pedestrians or disobeying a school guard or school patrol both carry fines of $167.

“Kids are excited to go back to school,” Napier said. “They might be distracted, they might have new routes and not be familiar with their area, so take the extra precaution. Slow down, give yourself extra time especially the first few weeks going back to school as there is an increased volume of traffic.”

by Victor Kaisar

Kamloops RCMP urging caution as students prepare to return to class after Labour Day

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