ICBC is asking motorists to drive with caution as school is back in session next week.
Drivers are asked to leave extra travel time, stay focused on the road and to keep an eye out for children particularly in school zones as summer is ending.
Speed Watch volunteers and the police will monitor vehicle speeds in school zones to “help children get a safe start to the school year.”
Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about road safety from their daily commute to and from school.
According to ICBC, 300 children walking or cycling are involved in crashes in the Lower Mainland alone every year.
ICBC released a series of tips for drivers to help keep the roads safer for returning students:
- If you drop off your child in a school zone, allow them to exit the car on the side closest to the sidewalk. Never allow a child to cross mid-block.
- If a vehicle's stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding to a pedestrian, so proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.
- Watch for school buses and when their lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop.
- Before getting into your vehicle, walk around it to make sure no small children are hidden from your view. Always look for pedestrians when you're backing up.
- In residential areas, a hockey net or ball can mean that kids are playing nearby. Watch for children as they could dash into the street at any moment.
- Remember that every school day, unless otherwise posted, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In playground zones, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect every day from dawn to dusk.
