RCMP provide back to school safety tips

Aug 31, 2018 | 1:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — With students heading back to school next week the Kamloops RCMP are reminding motorists to slow down, and children to stay alert. 

School zones will be back into effect next week, requiring drivers to slow down to 30 km/hr between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says motorists should be sure to give themselves extra time and keep an eye out for pedestrians and cyclists, especially children. 

“Children tend to dart out in traffic, especially in the first month of school they’re really excited and they’re not paying attention,” Shelkie said. “And that’s another thing, for parents to remember to speak to their children about traffic and know that children don’t always understand how traffic can come from two or three different directions. So, take them out, and practice crossing the street with them before they go to school.”

Shelkie also suggests parents speak with their children about stranger danger, and how to respond if someone asks them to get into a vehicle. 

She says motorists can expect to see more officers patrolling school zones in the coming weeks. 

“We always have enforcement in school zones, but especially in the month of September we’re going to have increased enforcement in all school zones in Kamloops,” Shelkie said.  

“It’s a great reminder when motorists see the police car there that they need to slow down. The traffic people are just there to make sure everything is going according to plan with school zones being in.”