Back to School Safety: Police Urge Motorists to Drive with Caution

Posted:

EN

(3:56 p.m.)

With students returning to school next Wednesday, HRM Partners in Policing are asking motorists to drive with added caution.

Thousands of students will be returning to school, which will mean more people and vehicles on the streets in HRM. Motorists are asked to drive with caution and allow for additional time when travelling before, during and after school.

Motorists are reminded that there has been a change to the speed limit in school zones. Since last September, the speed limit has been reduced to 30 km/h in areas where the approaching limit is 50 km/h, when children are present (outdoors, within 30 metres of the roadway). By reducing your speed, you’ll have more time to react to the unexpected and avoid a dangerous incident. Slower is safer, as children are sometimes distracted and may forget to watch for cars.

Passing school buses in either direction when the red lights are flashing, regardless of the number of traffic lanes, not only puts people in danger, but is illegal and carries substantial fines. Please avoid shortcutting in and around school areas if possible. Obey posted signs as well as crossing guards’ directions, watch out for children crossing the street and remember that crosswalks are not always marked. Essentially, every intersection is a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked.

The HRP/RCMP Integrated Traffic Unit will be patrolling school zones in HRM during the month of September to educate motorists and enforce motor vehicle regulations. Below is a chart listing violations and applicable fines.

 

Motor    Vehicle Act Violation

Fine    Amount

103(2A)(a)    - Exceeding speed limit by between 1 and 15 km/h, inclusive, in school area

First offence - $342.41

Second offence - $572.41

Third    or subsequent offence - $1,032.41

103(2A)(b)    - Exceeding speed limit by between 16 and 30 km/h, inclusive, in school area

First offence - $457.41

Second offence - $802.41

Third    or subsequent offence - $1,492.41

103(2A)(c    ) - Exceeding speed limit by 31 km/h or more in school area

First offence - $687.41

Second offence - $1,262.41

Third    or subsequent offence - $2,412.41

Section 103(3) - Failing to stop    for stopped school bus exhibiting flashing red lights

 

First offence - $399.91

Second offence - $687.41

Third    or subsequent offence - $1,262.41

103(4) - Failing to proceed with    caution when passing school bus exhibiting flashing amber lights

 

First offence - $284.91

Second offence - $457.41

Third    or subsequent offence - $802.41

125(1)    - Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk or stopped facing crosswalk

First offence - $687.41

Second offence - $1,262.41

Third    or subsequent offence - $2,412.41

125(2)    - Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk or stopped facing crosswalk    on roadway on which vehicle is travelling in roadway divided by median

First offence - $687.41

Second offence - $1,262.41

Third    or subsequent offence - $2,412.41

125A(3)    - Failing to stop at least 5 m from crosswalk when crossing guard stop sign    displayed as required

First offence - $687.41

Second offence - $1,262.41

Third or subsequent    offence - $2,412.41

125A(4)    - Failing to obey crossing guard directing children in a crosswalk

First offence - $687.41

Second offence - $1,262.41

Third or subsequent    offence - $2,412.41

 

Halifax District RCMP and Halifax Regional Police ask that you do your part to make the streets safe for students as they head back to school.