Drivers told to slow down, watch for kids
As students across the city head back to school Tuesday, safety patrollers were there to help them navigate the traffic commotion of busy school zones.
“We like to keep kids safe,” said Dane Logan, 11, an Alberta Motor Association school safety patroller at Patricia Heights School.
Logan and fellow safety patroller Liam Morison begin their shift at 8 a.m. and end it when the school bell rings.
After school, they’ll be standing at the crosswalks until the last bus leaves. They’ve been trained to follow the Three Ps: point, pause, double-check and, when it’s safe, proceed.
“I just like to remind drivers that we should all slow down and make sure that we’re watching out for pedestrians to keep everybody safe. Also, on the flip side, we want pedestrians to stay safe and not go on the road without the patrollers letting them,” said Morison.
While the two Grade 6 students began as safety patrollers in May, this will be their first full school year donning orange and yellow safety vests and holding stop signs at the crosswalk.
“It’s a big responsibility, but it’s also a lot of fun, too,” said Morison.
Drivers should expect the unexpected because kids are going to be unpredictable, said Michael Janz, Edmonton Public Schools board trustee. At the same time, kids across Edmonton should be able to get active — whether by walking, biking, scooting or longboarding to school — and be safe, he said.
“Drive like it was your kid in the crosswalk, or your kid on the sidewalk. Even one accident is too many.”
The Edmonton Police Service will be enforcing speed limits in school zones this week especially, said Sgt. Kerry Bates.
Travelling 10 km/h over the posted speed limit will net you a $105 ticket, and the licence demerits that go along with it, he said. Speeding is more common when traffic is lighter and students are in class, he said.
“It’s a giant increase in traffic around school areas. Slow down, plan your rout, plan on it taking a little longer. And for pedestrians, too, don’t be playing with your ipods when you’re crossing the streets,” said Bates.
City parking enforcement will also be patrolling school zones and ticketing parking at bus stops or in accessibility parking spots.