“Edmonton students are headed back to class this week, and that means drivers have a responsibility to remain alert and observe posted speed limits to ensure the safety of our youth,” said. Sgt. Kerry Bates with the EPS Traffic Safety Unit.
Bates added: “Dropoff and pickup times are especially hectic around schools, and all road users, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, need to stay alert, avoid distractions, and obey all rules of the road and posted signage to make sure everyone gets where they’re going safely."
During the 2021-2022 school year (Sept. 2021 to Jun 2022), EPS issued 1,145 in-person enforcement tickets to motorists in designated playground zones.
“The Edmonton Police Service and City of Edmonton work together to enforce speed limits to support safe and livable streets,” says Jessica Lamarre, Director of Safe Mobility at the City of Edmonton. “Last year, approximately 20% of mobile automated enforcement hours were spent at playground zones, where 75% of drivers followed the 30 km/h speed limit. The average violation rate at playground zones was 22% lower than the city-wide average, which shows that Edmontonians are generally more cautious when driving around playground zones - and, we have room to improve!”
EPS and its policing partners across the province will be starting the school year off safely by stepping up traffic enforcement around schools
Carrie Herrick-Fitzgerald, Supervisor of the AMA School Safety Patrol program, said patience and caution are needed from drivers year-round, but especially during this hectic back-to-school period.
“This is the time when our communities see an increase in both traffic volume and excited students,” said Herrick-Fitzgerald. “Our young patrollers may be safety leaders at the crosswalk, but we all have a part to play in planning ahead, showing courtesy, slowing down and staying focused.”