Police remind the community of the importance of back-to-school safety

Coquitlam

2023-09-01 07:15 PDT

File # Public Service Announcement

As parents, students, and teachers return to school, the Coquitlam RCMP is reminding motorists and pedestrians to foster safe road habits.

We all play a key role in ensuring our kids are safe as they head back to school, said Media Relations Officer, Corporal Alexa Hodgins. Whether you are a parent, student, teacher, motorist or pedestrian the start of the school year is an important time to refresh your road safety knowledge.

We would like to remind all parents to have a road safety talk with their children no matter what age they are. It is never too early to teach children to be street smart. Children often learn best by observing good role model behaviour and repetition/practice.

For more tips on road safety for children, visit ICBC: Road safety for your kids

View a larger image - RCMP officer and community policing conduct speed enforcement in a school zone with 30 km/hr speed sign in the top right corner

Coquitlam RCMP would like to remind the public that they can expect to see officers in their community actively enforcing school zone speed limits throughout the school year. As a reminder, drivers must adhere to a speed of 30 km/hr or less from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday on all school days. In addition, playground zones are still in effect from dawn until dusk everyday.

Safety tips for pedestrians:

• Cross the road at designated cross-walks and follow crossing signals
• Ensure all lanes of traffic have stopped before crossing roadways
• Make eye contact with drivers before stepping onto cross-walks
• Dress to be seen by wearing bright colours or reflective material
• Be aware of your surroundings by removing headphones and putting electronic devices away

Safety tips for motorists:

• Slow down – speed limits are in effect in school zones on school days
• Leave yourself extra time if your route leads you though a school zone as drop off and pick up times can be especially busy and congested
• Focus on the road by putting electronic devices away
• Be aware of your surroundings and alert to children walking to and from school
• When dropping students off at school, ensure that it is done in a safe manner. The vehicle should not be impeding traffic and passengers should be able to exit onto the sidewalk.

For more safety tips, visit BC RCMP: Back to School

If you observe unsafe driving behavior’s in playground or school zones, please contact the non-emergency line at 604-945-1550, or use the Coquitlam RCMP’s Online Crime Reporting for non-urgent crimes.

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Email: coquitlam_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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