Students in Manitoba are heading back to class, and CAA Manitoba wants to remind motorists that they need to be extra careful, especially in designated school zones where the speed limit is 30 km/h.
In a media release, CAA Manitoba says “data provided by Manitoba Public Insurance shows that dangerous driving behaviours, such as texting and driving and excessive speed, are still prevalent on local streets.”
“We all have a role to play in keeping our school zones safe,” says Elisha Dacey, Communications Manager, CAA Manitoba. “These dangerous driving behaviours can lead to serious consequences and CAA is urging motorists to slow down and follow the rules of the road when driving through school zones.”
For the months of August and September in 2021, the number of fatalities involving distracted driving dropped by half compared to the same months in 2020, a period when distraction and other risky driving behaviours had spiked following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. However, in 2021 it was still 25 per cent higher than normal.
Although convictions for excessive speed in August and September 2021 declined versus 2020, they remain considerably higher than seen during the same months in 2019.
“While the statistics are now closer to back in line with previous years, all of these situations continue to involve high-risk driving behaviours,” said Dacey. “When you’re behind the wheel, you have the responsibility to look out for everyone else around you, including parents, guardians and children.”
Also, CAA is reminding motorists that it is an offence to pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Failing to do so will result in a fine of $672 and demerit points.
Motorists can also use the following CAA tips to ensure they are staying safe in school zones:
– Help reduce traffic with active school travel: Encourage your kids to walk or ride to school to ease traffic congestion. If your school is a further distance, CAA encourages parents and guardians to park a block away and walk to school, if possible, to reduce traffic and make school zones safer.
– Slow down: Know the speed limit in your neighbourhood’s school zones and respect them. Ensure you give yourself time to drop off your kids at school to avoid rushing.
– Follow the rules of the road near school buses: Always stop for a stopped school bus with its upper flashing red light and/ stop arm activated and wait for children to get safely on or off. Stay alert and watch for children or parents/guardians crossing the road when the bus moves on.
– Choose a safe spot to drop off and pick up your children from school: Follow your school’s rules and avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks, dropping off or picking up your kids on the opposite side of the street, and stopping in moving traffic as kids rush out. Instead, use the designated drop off areas or consider a spot a bit farther away from school that is easily accessible and safe.
– Make eye contact with passing pedestrians and cyclists: With the excitement of going back to school, anticipate that children may not easily see or hear your moving vehicle. Use eye contact to ensure pedestrians are aware of you driving your vehicle.
– Watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers: As one of the largest youth volunteer programs in Canada, they play an important role by keeping their peers safe on school buses and in school zones. Keep a lookout for their bright safety vests.
CAA supports safety in school zones through the CAA School Safety Patrol® program, developed to protect and educate elementary school children on safe road-crossing practices.
To learn more please visit: CAA Manitoba’s School Zone Safety Information at https://www.caamanitoba.com/advocacy/school-safety/school-zones
