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WINNIPEG — Back to school time will be here soon – but school zone speed traps will be here sooner.
Winnipeg police say they’ll start handing out tickets for violating the 30 km/h limit as soon as September 1.
Likely catching some drivers by surprise, since many kids won’t actually be in school until a week later.
But Corrine Earl’s four-year-old son, Armand, is heading to pre-school next month and she feels better knowing police will be out.
“There’s a lot of traffic that’s around here, especially this intersection that rights here,” Earl said, pointing at Bournais Drive and Rougeau Avenue near Bernie Wolfe School.
Most classes don’t start until September 9 or 10 but officers will be out catching speeders September 1 because next week, the speed limit drops from 50 km/h to 30 in school zones on weekdays and police won’t be just handing out a warning.
“No, we’ll be issuing tickets,” Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel with the Winnipeg Police Traffic Service said, “they had a full school year basically to get used to the zone that they drive through.”
READ MORE: CAA Manitoba seeks better school zone speed limit signage
A fine for going 10 km/h over the limit is $181.50, while driving 50 km/h in the 30 km/h zone will set you back $312.25.
The new reduced speed limit came into effect last year. Police handed out more than 40,077 fines during the school year and the top speed recorded was 83 km/h in a 30, a $1136.50 ticket.
“You got to follow the rules it is what it is, it’s for the safely of our children,” France Hettrick said driving past Bernie Wolfe School.
While some motorists say it’s a good thing, others wonder if this is just a cash grab.
“I don’t think it’s right,” Edward Hein said. “I think it’s a scam just to generate more money out of people.”
Hein got a $220 dollar ticket for speeding through a school zone last year.
“I’ve got one in a school zone and ever since then I really really watch my speed,” Hein said.
Once the school zone speed limit will be enforced it will only be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
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