September means back to school and that means School Zones are also in place. School Zone hours differ in many towns based on municipal by-laws. If a municipality does establish times different from these, the times will be posted beneath the school sign. For example, last year, Cold Lake changed their school zones to be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bonnyville and St. Paul continue to follow the traditional 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 to 1: 30 and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Motorists are not permitted to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle travelling in the same direction within a school zone when the zone is in effect.
The speed limit for both urban and rural school zones is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted.
SCHOOL ZONE ENDS:
A school zone ends where a traffic sign indicates:
1. a higher maximum speed, or
2. the end of the school zone.
SCHOOL AREA
When approaching a school sign without a speed sign attached to it, motorists are entering a school area. This sign is to alert drivers that children may be walking or crossing the road and drivers are asked to use caution when driving through the school area. School age children are focused on a number of things at a time and traffic safety is probably not one of them. Drivers must be alert at all times.
SCHOOL CROSSWALK
This sign alerts drivers to watch for pedestrians
PLAYGROUND ZONE:
When approaching a playground sign with a maximum speed sign attached to it, motorists are entering a playground zone. The posted speed must not be exceeded when the zone is in effect.
Playground restrictions are in effect every day from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset. These hours may vary for different towns and cities according to municipal bylaws. If a municipality establishes times different from these, the times will be posted beneath the playground sign. Like a school zone, drivers are not permitted to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle travelling in the same direction within a playground zone when the speed restriction is in effect.
As a motorist you must know the laws of the municipality that you are driving in. Pay attention to the signs and know the zones! Stay safe.
Sherry Skrypichayko
Health & Safety Manager
Ducharme Motors Ltd.