Durham Police announced its officers will be conducting its annual traffic safety blitz around neighbourhood schools in Durham Region as students return to class after summer holidays.
The DRPS Traffic Services Branch, in conjunction with officers from all divisions, will conduct a zero-tolerance traffic enforcement campaign targeting school and community safety zones during the week of September 3-6.
The goal of this annual ‘In the Zone’ enforcement campaign is to ensure high officer visibility and proactive enforcement in and around school zones during the first week back to school.
The DRPS thanked local school officials and members of the public for supporting this traffic initiative.
Clarington speed limits in school zones now 30 kmh
As parents and students prepare for the start of a new school year, Clarington is reminding residents that the speed limits in school zones have been reduced from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour.
While most schools in Clarington are on municipal roads, there are some schools on Regional or Provincially-owned roads that are not part of this project.
“Clarington residents have made it clear that they want safer school zones, and council has taken action,” said Mayor Adrian Foster. “Lowering speed limits in areas where our children come together to learn will help boost our quality of life—and enable Clarington’s future leaders to thrive in a safe environment. Our communities—and our schools—are growing quickly and we are taking steps to manage that growth responsibly.”
Clarington reminded motorists and pedestrians to be mindful of the new 30 kmh speed limit in school zones.
“Keep an eye out for the new speed limit signs, and slow down,” said Mayor Foster. “Let’s work together to keep our roads safe for everyone as we start an exciting new school year. I encourage motorists and pedestrians to pay close attention to their surroundings around Clarington’s schools.”
Let’s keep our school roadways safe: Oshawa
With the start of the new school year, there will be an increase in the number of children walking and biking near schools. For the protection of pedestrians and drivers, Oshawa reminded motorists to drive cautiously in school zones and to obey the posted speed limits, no parking, and no stopping signs.
Municipal Law Enforcement Officers will be enforcing no parking and stopping regulations and other violations in the vicinity of schools to ensure pedestrian safety. Please be aware of traffic signs and do not park in fire routes. Additionally, motorists are urged not to block or obstruct sidewalks or driveway access.
No Stopping Zones
- may not be used for the purpose of picking-up or dropping-off school children;
- are established in a limited number of locations, where the stopping of a vehicle will create a traffic hazard, congestion or interfere with the use of a school crossing; and,
- the fines for stopping violations escalate on each infraction ($60, $80, $100).
No Parking Zones
- may be used for picking up or dropping off school children, only when the children are actively entering/exiting the vehicle;
does not allow a vehicle to be parked while drivers wait for their children; and, - the fine for a parking violations escalate on each infraction ($40, $60, $80) depending on location ($100, $120, $140 for illegally parking in a fire route).
School Crossing Zones
- Abide by the City’s Crossing Guards’ three-whistle system:
- First Whistle: The school crossing guard blows the first whistle, enters the roadway, holds up the stop sign, and ensures traffic has stopped. Children and pedestrians stay on the sidewalk until the school crossing guard blows the second whistle.
- Second Whistle: The school crossing guard blows the second whistle when it is safe for the children and pedestrians to cross.
- Third Whistle: When the children have safely crossed the roadway, the school crossing guard leaves the roadway. Once safely off the road, the guard blows the third whistle to signify the crossing has ended and traffic can proceed.
- Be observant of children when in a school area and be ready to stop at all times
- Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding
- Reduce speed in schools zones
- Stop when a stop paddle is held up by a crossing guard
- Obey school bus flashers
- Obey yield, stop, traffic signal controls, and traffic signs
Be mindful of children walking around your vehicle and of other vehicles
School Bus Loading Zones
- designated for the exclusive use of school buses or vehicles under contract to the Boards of Education;
- drivers cannot stop or park within this zone for any reason including the pick-up or drop-off of students; and,
- the fines for stopping in school bus loading zones escalate with each infraction ($45, $65, $85).
Community Safety Zones
- urham Regional Police Service increases its presence in these areas and enforces the Community Safety Zone regulations, as well as conduct enforcement projects in conjunction with Municipal Law Enforcement.
40 kmh Areas
- are residential neighbourhood areas with a speed limit of 40 kmh.
- 40 kmh areas help improve road safety by reducing speed limits that are typically a maximum of 50 km/h down to 40 km/h for an entire neighbourhood.
- signage is installed at all neighbourhood entrances and exits to indicate where the 40 km/h area speed limits are in effect.