Pencils are sharpened, book bags are packed and parents and guardians are preparing to send the kids off to school. As classes resume across the province this week, Nova Scotia RCMP asks motorists and students to pay attention when driving or walking near school zones.
Here are some school zone safety tips to keep in mind:
- Slow down in school zones. motorists are required to slow to a maximum of 30 km/h in school zones when children are present and the speed limit is 50 km/h. There are school zones where the speed limit is over 50 km/h. In those zones, drivers must slow to 50 km/h.
- Stop for school buses. Drivers must stop when they approach a school bus that has its red lights flashing and remain stopped until the lights are turned off. Drivers who do not stop for school buses may be fined. When students exit the bus, they should walk 10 feet in front of the bus and wait until the driver says it’s safe to cross the street.
- Be careful at intersections. Both drivers and pedestrians should approach crosswalks cautiously, especially during times of low visibility. Drivers should treat all intersections as implied crosswalks, especially in busy areas. At intersections with a crossing guard, drivers should wait until the guard says it’s safe to cross.
- Pay attention while walking. Pedestrians should look both ways before crossing the street and make eye contact with the driver before stepping off the curb. Never text or use an electronic device while walking.
For more school zone safety tips, “like” us on Facebook (Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia), follow us on Twitter(@RCMPNS) and look for the hashtag #SchoolZoneSafety. Students from Creative Kids Education Centre in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, will star in our #SchoolZoneSafety messages throughout the week.
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Source: Media Release
