School resumes in just under a week, and SGI is taking the time to remind motorists across the province of the rules to follow when they are driving in school zones. To help with this, they are releasing a study guide with tips. 

Tyler McMurchy is the media relations manager with the Crown insurance company. He said with the traffic safety spotlight for September being on school zone safety, the study guide will provide some timely tips for motorists. 

“The first one, and the most important one I would say, is slow down to the posted speed limit,” McMurchy stated. “The most common school zone offence is speeding, and most school zones do have reduced limits, which you can tell by those big reflective signs.” 

Here in Moose Jaw, the speed limit in a school zone is 40 kilometres an hour, and it is in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Speeding through a school zone can get quite pricey as well – a ticket for going 20 km/h over the limit in a school zone starts at over $300, and they just go up from there. 

Reducing speed leads directly to the second tip, according to McMurchy – watching for those crossing the streets, both at the intersections, and jaywalkers. 

“Kids don’t always pay attention to crossing when and where they are supposed to, and this year they’re going to be extra excited to see their friends and teachers in a school setting for the first time since March.” 

McMurchy added motorists need to be careful around school buses, including following the signs posted. Additionally, they will need to watch for students crossing to get to school bus loading zones.  

“We want drivers to, of course, obey crossing guards and pedestrian lights in school zones,” McMurchy added. “Obeying the crossing guard is not optional – all school crossing guards are legally permitted to stop traffic with their stop sign.”