Winnipeg police will not be enforcing the 30 km/h reduced speed limit in school zones while classes remain cancelled and schools are closed.
Winnipeg police told Global News the decision is a reflection of social distancing practices during the coronavirus pandemic, and that it’s unlikely for children to be playing in school zones while families are practising self-isolation.
The 30 km/h speed limit will remain active between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., as police don’t have the authority to suspend City of Winnipeg by-laws, but they will not be actively enforcing it.
“Based on the current situation with COVID-19 and the subsequent closure of playgrounds, the police service has directed the photo enforcement contractor not to conduct regular enforcement of reduced speed school zones.
“This circumstance is different than anything else we have experienced before,” said Insp. Gord Spado of the WPS Traffic Division.
Other forms of photo enforcement will continue.
“(Photo enforcement) still conduct speed enforcement, and under provincial legislation can only be in school zones, playgrounds and construction zones,” said Spado.
“As such, Photo Enforcement will conduct enforcement in regular speed (unreduced) school zones.
“Should a complaint of excessive speeds be received in a reduced speed school zone, police may conduct enforcement, and any tickets issued would be based on a 30 km/h speed limit.”
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