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Back to school: VicPD and ICBC warn drivers to slow down

Speed enforcement campaign begins Tuesday morning ticketing drivers who exceed 30 km/hr in school zones
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ICBC is reminding parents and drivers to watch out for kids as they go back to school. File photo

As the school bell rings for yet another year, local police and ICBC are reminding drivers to keep an eye out for more pedestrians as children head back to school.

VicPD will launch their back to school speed enforcement campaign Tuesday morning ticketing any drivers who exceed the 30 km/hr speed limit in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fines for speeding in a school zone start at $196 plus three demerit points, or $483 if you get into the excessive speed category. Other potential fines include $368 for distracted driving plus four demerit points.

Some 7,900 drivers were ticketed for speeding in school and playground zones last year.

On average, 380 B.C. school children are injured and six are killed while walking or cycling each year and roughly 86 kids are injured in playground and school zones.

On Vancouver Island, an average of two children are killed while walking or cycling, and 57 are injured in crashes every year, including 14 injured in playground zones.

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ICBC is asking parents and drivers to slow down and remain focused while on the road and offering tips including:

• When dropping off your child at school, let them out of the car on the side closest to the sidewalk. Do not stop mid-block

• Watch out for school busses with flashing lights, and remember vehicles on either side of these busses must stop.

• Before getting into your vehicle, check all the way around and under your car to make sure a child isn’t hidden from view.

• In residential areas, remember that a hockey net or ball can mean kids are nearby. Drive slow and watch out in case a child dashes out suddenly.

For more details visit ICBC.com.

- With files from Christine van Reeuwyk


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