The City of Edmonton’s Office of Traffic Safety (photo radar) and the EPS (manned enforcement) have collectively issued more than 106,000 school zone speeding infraction tickets since the zones were re-introduced across Edmonton in 2014-15.
Over the last two years, the Office of Traffic Safety has issued more than 96,000 tickets to drivers speeding through school zones, and EPS officers have issued 9,908 school zone speeding offence tickets over the same time period, while focusing their efforts near schools where drivers were ignoring the 30 km/h school zone speed limit.
“September 1st is always an exciting time for families, as their children return to school with plenty of enthusiasm surrounding the upcoming school year,” said Sgt. Kerry Bates, EPS Traffic Safety Coordinator. “It’s also a time for all of us to renew our commitment to safety while sharing the roadways together, and to remind drivers that we will be closely monitoring school zones throughout the school year.”
“Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians all need to be attentive, especially around schools. City streets become increasingly congested at this time of year. It’s imperative that we’re all on top of our games as we ease back into our normal routines of dropping off and picking up our children from school.”
The Edmonton Police Service also re-launched its “Be a textbook driver” public awareness campaign this week, in conjunction with the first day of school. The public awareness campaign includes a television commercial, transit and road-side signs in high traffic areas around the city, reminding motorists to slow down and be mindful of the 30 km/h speed limit in school zones located on the perimeters around schools across Edmonton.
As the principal of Edmonton’s newest school, St. John XXIII Catholic Elementary/Junior High School, Michael Kovacs has been working diligently with various stakeholders in the community to try and ensure that students arrive and return home safely each and every day.
“One of our most important stakeholders is the parents – the people who are dropping off and picking up their children at St. John,” said Kovacs, administrative leader of the new school in Windermere.
“This is a new school located in a rapidly expanding area in southwest Edmonton. We want to set a positive tone from day one here, and we want everyone to follow the rules of the road to ensure our children are safe – both motorists and students.”
“These are busy roadways. It requires the due diligence of all stakeholders to share the roads together responsibly.”
City of Edmonton bylaw officers will also be watching for parking violations around grade schools and post-secondary institutions throughout the school year.
"Illegal parking around schools is a safety concern for everyone," said Amanda Lesk, Parking Program Analyst with the City. "Vehicles parked too close to crosswalks, intersections and other restricted zones create congestion and make it really difficult for drivers to see pedestrians – especially children crossing the street."
Various police services across the province, including the EPS, will be conducting special traffic enforcement initiatives around schools, as students return for the first week of the 2016-17 school year.
from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2bTpDxc
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