Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY

RCMP reminds Kamloops motorists and pedestrians that school zones are in effect next Tuesday

Aug 30, 2021 | 4:24 PM

KAMLOOPS — Next Tuesday, students across SD73 will be heading back to school. Kamloops RCMP is being proactive and reminding motorists and parents of a few safety tips before the big day.

As of next Tuesday (September 7), school zone speed limits will be back in effect from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm every day that school is in session. RCMP is asking drivers to take some extra time for their morning commute and to watch out for kids heading back to class.

“Motorists have to understand that at this time there are a lot more people on the road, both walking and driving,” Corporal Dana Napier explains. “Allow extra time to cross through intersections, slow down. Watch for the unexpected – children will be out walking, riding their bikes, scootering and even skateboarding back to school, so expect to see them at intersections, and expect to see them when you’re backing out of your driveway.”

While it’s important for folks behind the wheel to pay extra attention, RCMP is urging parents to speak with their kids, as well. There are some critical steps kids can take to stay safe when they start making that commute to school each day.

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“Remind your children to unplug [headphones or earbuds] so they can hear the traffic around them. They want to maintain eye contact with the driver and make sure that the vehicle is stopped first before they walk through that marked intersection or crosswalk. If they have a partner they can walk with, there’s always some safety there with a buddy. We also want them to make sure they keep their awareness about them and they keep their head up and that they’re paying attention to their surroundings.”

Kamloops RCMP is also reminding motorists to pay attention to school busses out on the roads. especially when drivers deploy red flashing stop signs to let students off the bus.

“Those flashing lights and the stop signs are legal authorities that drivers should follow as if it’s any other stop sign,” Napier says. “You must stop, and that’s for traffic in both directions.”