Back-to-school is a hectic time for both kids and parents as everyone rushes around and adjusts to a new routine: drop-off, work, pick-up, extracurricular activities. Repeat. And when you’re rushing, you can forget to pay attention to your speedometer.
Speeding in school zones is a problem, and it can lead to injury: In fact, each year in BC, an average of 66 children are injured in crashes in school and playground zones.1
That’s why we’ve partnered with BCAA to remind British Columbians of one thing: as the kids go back to school in September, go “back to 30.” Kilometres per hour, that is.
So give yourself a little more time in the morning, so you don’t have to feel rushed—getting out of the house even five minutes earlier can make all the difference. Teach the kids to exit the car carefully, and walk slowly and attentively rather than running in front of cars. Be patient with other Moms and Dads. And please—slow down when you’re in a school zone.
Let’s all do our part to prevent collisions at school crossings:
- 🎒Watch for school zones. The yellow sign with two kids carrying books means you’re approaching one.
- 🐢Slow down. The speed limit is 30 km/hr between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. during school days.
- 👀 Stay aware in school zones at all times. School hours aren’t just during school times, either: some municipalities have school hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- ⚠️Yield to the lines. In school zones they are usually wide and bright to indicate where kids will be crossing.
Simply being aware that the kids are back at school should help you make these basic driving adjustments.
Because yellow lines don’t stop speeding in school zones. You do.
Source:
1 ICBC. (September 2, 2021.) “ICBC asking drivers & parents to keep children safe as school returns.” Available from: https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/Pages/2021-sept02.aspx