School zones return beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5 as kids go back to school. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

first day back

‘Your head has to be on a swivel:’ school zones back in effect as kids return to class

Sep 5, 2023 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — Summer is over and the kids are back in class.

School resumes for most students in the region Tuesday, Sept. 5 with a short day before classes resume in full on Wednesday. It also means area school zone speed limits will go back into effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days.

RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said they’ll have an increased road presence this week through school zones and drivers need to be aware of the new 30 kilometre per hour limit.

“You’re in the habit of driving the summer, you’re not seeing so many kids on the sidewalks, now there’s hundreds of kids…and they’re not all following the rules so your head has to be on a swivel, you have to recognize some kids may be cutting across the street.”

Historically, school zones along main roads have been especially problematic affecting schools in Nanaimo such as Rock City Departure Bay and Cilaire Elementary Schools, among others.

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Speeding was such a concern along Departure Bay Rd. by Cilaire Elementary, the City of Nanaimo installed an electric speed reader sign in summer 2022.

A formal traffic study has not been completed on the road since the signs were installed, however City staff say, at least anecdotally, speeds have improved in the area.

O’Brien adds one of the biggest speeders through school zones are people who should frankly know better.

“Sometimes the worst violators are parents who have just dropped their kids off,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Fines for speeding infractions range from $196 for cars caught going 21 kilometres per hour or less over the limit, to $253 for 21 to 40 kilometres per hour over the limit.

More serious consequences, including criminal charges, are possible for excessive speeders.

Police have also previously identified issues with drivers as the interact with school buses.

Mounties are reminding people school buses are not to be passed in either direction if they’re parked with their stop-sign deployed and lights flashing.

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