Sask. school zone violations target of Sept. traffic safety spotlight

REGINA – A former school bus driver has some words of advice for motorists driving in school zones.

“Slow down and pay attention.”

Andy Schwindt, who is the manager of Warner Transportation, the busing contractor for the Regina Public School Board, said he saw it all when he drove school buses: speeding, disregarding cross walks, driving unsafely around buses or not paying attention.

“An impatient driver endangers a child’s life by failing to stop at a school zone cross walk with flashing red lights or fails to use caution by dangerously maneuvering around a slowing or stopping school bus,” said Schwindt.

“There is the potential for something bad to happen every day because of the way motorists are driving through school zones.”

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According to preliminary numbers provided by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) for 2014, there were 40 collisions in school zones resulting in 15 injuries.

With that in mind, SGI and police forces across the province will be looking out for traffic violations in school zones, including speeders, drivers failing to yield to pedestrians or disobeying crossing guards, school bus arms and flashing lights.

Fines for speeding in school zones start at $140 and go up one dollar for every kilometre over the posted limit. Photo radar is also being used in select locations in Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw.

“We all play a role in keeping our children safe and school zones require your full attention,” said Schwindt.