As thousands of children head back to school on Tuesday, Edmonton police are reminding drivers to slow down around elementary and junior high schools.
School zone speed limits of 30 km/h will be in effect beginning Tuesday morning. The speed limits will apply around junior high schools, junior high schools in combination with elementary schools and stand-alone elementary schools throughout Edmonton. They must be observed between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on school days where school-zone signs are posted.
READ MORE: City likely to expand Edmonton 30 km/h school zone speed limit to junior highs
Last fall, the city voted in favour of expanding school zones to include junior high schools.
“The evaluation of the elementary school zones proved that lower speeds prevent injuries,” Coun. Bev Esslinger said. “I have heard from junior high school administrators, teachers and parents of junior high school students that they welcome the lower speed limit around their schools.”
The city started installing school zone signs at 43 local junior highs in April, in preparation for the 2017-18 school year.
READ MORE: School zone speed limit signs going up at Edmonton junior high schools
“When children are struck by vehicles, their injuries often result in life-threatening or permanent damage,” said Dennis Tetreault, speed management and traffic safety supervisor with the City of Edmonton.
“Driving within the speed limit helps us reach our Vision Zero Edmonton goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries.”
READ MORE: Big drop in Edmonton school zone injury collisions since 2014 reintroduction
“We will be working closely with the City of Edmonton to ensure that drivers adhere to the new speed limits in junior high school zones and are doing their part to keep students safe,” EPS Insp. Randy Loxterkamp said.
Edmonton police, Esslinger and representatives from the Office of Traffic Safety, Edmonton Catholic Schools and the Alberta Motor Association will hold a news conference about back-to-school safety and school zone speed limits Tuesday morning in Mill Woods.
Information about the new school zones is available by visiting www.edmonton.ca/why30.
While the city’s website says school zone speed limits of 30 km/h are in effect between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on school days, Global News found several signs near St. Mark’s Junior High School where the signs indicated a time frame of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A city spokesperson said incorrect signs must have been put up and crews were notified.
On Tuesday, the city said “staff reacted promptly overnight to correct the issue ahead of school opening.”
Kris Berezanski said all school locations were reviewed and confirmed to have correct signage. The city did not say how many signs were posted with the wrong times.
Comments