School zones go back into effect for the school year, beginning Tuesday, Sep. 6. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

back to school

Parents often ‘worst offenders’ through Nanaimo school zones

Sep 6, 2022 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — After a long summer break, kids are heading back to school with their lunch packed up and boots tied tight.

Tuesday marks the first day of school for the 2022/23 year with most students attending for only a few hours to go through a quick orientation. Classes in earnest commence Wednesday, Sep. 7.

Kids heading back to class also sees 30 kilometre school zones come back into effect, with Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien saying it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure kids make it to class safely.

“Adults are supposed to be the responsible ones and it starts with our driving habits. What we’re finding is often even in the school zones, the worst offenders are parents who’ve just dropped their kids off.”

School zones go into effect between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day school is in session, while park and playground zones are in effect from dawn until dusk.

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O’Brien also said for parents dropping kids off along a road, kids should always exit the vehicle on the right-hand side and away from traffic.

Police are also urging parents to educate and further remind their children to only cross at crosswalks, take out earbuds or remove headphones and make eye contact with drivers when crossing the road.

A handful of area roads are typically more dangerous than others.

“Departure Bay Rd. is problematic because it’s on a steep grade on the street, also Uplands Dr. is one because it’s a long, continuous area where cars continue to pick up speed. Then other schools where there’s more volume of kids at the school, leads to more cars.”

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.

O’Brien said another constant issue this time of year is drivers interacting with school buses.

“Vehicles either approaching a school bus or stopping behind it, when the red flashing lights are activated you cannot pass. Just play it safe, even if the lights are not activated and you see students getting on or off, stop and wait for the bus to start moving then proceed.”

RCMP will have an increased presence in school zones across the region through September and into early October in a bid to catch speeding drivers.

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