Watch Your Speed in School Zones Starting September 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2019

Kids return to classes after Labour Day and drivers must slow down, leave their phones alone, yield to buses, watch for children walking and cycling and obey parking signs.

Starting September 3, West Kelowna RCMP and Bylaw Compliance Officers will be at school zones around West Kelowna issuing friendly reminders to stick to speed limits in school zones and park in designated areas. Officers will issue tickets and fines to drivers who ignore the message.

The speed limit through school zones is 30 kilometres per hour from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days that classes are in session – generally Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays and winter, spring and summer breaks. The speed limit remains in effect until a sign on the opposite end of the school zone indicates it ends.

Under Section 3.1 of BC’s Motor Vehicle Act, using a cell phone or electronic device, for any reason, while driving is illegal – it puts the lives of everyone on the road at risk.

Drivers also need to yield to and stop for buses. When a school bus turns on its flashing red lights, vehicles in all lanes, in both directions, must stop. Drivers should be extra cautious around public transit too, as older students may be walking out into the street, in front of or behind a stopped bus. Yield to buses that are ready to pull back into traffic.

West Kelowna Bylaw Compliance Officers will patrol school zones to watch for parking infractions, which are common during the first few weeks of school. The City puts parking restrictions in place to eliminate hazards and congestion that can lead to accidents and to ensure safe access to schools, residences and businesses.

ICBC’s Learn to Drive Smart guide, which can be found online at www.icbc.com, can help motorists brush up on rules of the road.

Ross Road remains under construction, and the inbound lane to Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School remains closed from Brentwood Road to Riffington Place. All drivers needing to get to the school should travel via Bartley and Pike Roads until crews wrap up construction, within the next couple of weeks.