The Greater Sudbury Police Service Traffic Management Unit handed out 36 speeding tickets to drivers in school zones last week during the police department's back to school safety campaign.
Although officers noted the majority of motorists driving within the posted speed limit, officers handed out several speeding charges in and around the schools zones.
When stopped, some drivers indicated that they were not paying attention or that they did not know the speed limit.
"These excuses given by motorists could have easily been the cause of a collision with a school bus or a child," said a GSPS news release.
"Our officers will continue to make road safety in school zones a priority throughout the remainder of September and the school year. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit set in and around schools does not change when school is dismissed for the day."
The 40 km/h speed limit is in effect 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Enforcement in and around school zones resulted in the following tickets:
- Speeding – 36
- Fail to Stop for a School Bus – 0
- Using a Hand-held Device – 1
- Rules of the Road Offences (Fail to Stop at Red Light/Stop Sign, Improper Lane Change, etc.) – 8
- Other Provincial Offences (Documentation, Insurance, Equipment) – 23
- Stunt Driving (more than 50km/h over the posted limit) – 4
All school zone speed limits are posted at 40 km/h to provide drivers with a better opportunity to make an unanticipated stop safely.
This could include a child walking or biking to and from school that wandered too far onto the roadway or a child chasing a ball from a game.
Crossing guards also expect drivers to be following the speed limit when making judgment as to distance a vehicle is when crossing children and drivers must obey the crossing guard’s stop sign on approach.
Failure to obey a crossing guard’s stop sign carries a fine of $180 and three demerit points.
School buses are clearly identified as such by their chrome yellow paint and markings. School bus drivers must follow rules under the Highway Traffic Act when operating their buses such as stopping at all rail crossings and maintaining safety equipment on board at all times.
Drivers also must follow rules when approaching a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal-lights flashing and should stop at least 20 metres before reaching the bus and not proceed until the lights turn off or the bus starts moving.
