News Release

Children Raise Their Hands for Safety

 

Hundreds rally to slow drivers down in school zones

More than 200 students rallied at Sister Annata Brockman Catholic School and Bessie Nichols Public School today to remind drivers to slow down. The Grade 5 and 6 students staged the event during the busy morning school drop off time in support of Edmonton’s new 30 km/h school zones.

Just six months after the speed limit came into effect, a total of 17,056 automated speed enforcement violations have been recorded in Edmonton’s school zones with vehicles travelling as much as 57 km/h over the limit. Of the vehicles monitored, 14% have been exceeding the speed limit. In the Bessie Nichols and Sister Annata Brockman school zones, the violation rate is even higher at 21%, which prompted the students to take action.

“Speed enforcement is just one tool in our kit. We use driver feedback signs, and we work to inform and educate drivers – but we can’t solve this problem alone,” says Dennis Tetreault, Traffic Safety Supervisor with Edmonton’s Office of Traffic Safety. “Today’s rally is a perfect example of how the community can make a difference. The kids ask drivers to see them, to hear their voices and to think of them. They are the reason it’s 30 km/h in school zones.”

In addition to reminding drivers of the speed limit, which is in effect between 8am and 4:30pm on school days, motorists are being asked to be extra cautious as daylight savings time and the angle of the sun can make it difficult to see. Tetreault adds, “If you travel at 30 km/h, you have a much better chance of stopping quickly. Daylight changes and slippery road conditions make it more important to slow down.”

On September 2, 2014, a 30 km/h speed limit came into effect in Edmonton’s elementary school zones. The lower speed limit helps protect children, who are especially vulnerable to injuries in collisions.

Information about school zones is available by visiting edmonton.ca/why30.