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By Chris Brown

Remember school zone safety as students return to class

Sep 7, 2023 | 3:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Students are back in school but they, their guardians and all motorists might have summer memories on their minds instead of safety.

So the Alberta Motor Association and the RCMP are offering a few reminders that will help keep everyone safe.

AMA School Safety Patrol coordinator Allison Purcell says safety is a two-way street that drivers and students are on.

“The biggest thing that we teach our patrollers, and it’s a great message to teach students and pedestrians, is when they’re crossing is to make eye contact with drivers,” she says. “When you’re making eye contact with drivers, if drivers are paying attention to you and have removed those distractions they’re going to be able to make that eye contact. And if a driver doesn’t see you and isn’t paying attention to you let them go on past before you actually cross.

“So just that eye contact and really checking up and down the road and in parking lots before you cross. So it’s not that you just look and you see an open gap and you go, you really are seeing what traffic is coming and making that eye contact with drivers.”

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Distracted drivers and the speed they’re travelling are two of the biggest concerns around school and playground zones, Purcell says.

Drivers are urged to keep distractions like their phone out of reach and to plan ahead so they have plenty of time to get to where they’re going and don’t have to rush through school and playground zones.

Purcell says there are between 500 and 600 AMA patrollers out every single day no matter the weather to keep school zones in the Medicine Hat community safe for everyone.

RCMP offer the following tips to help make a safe school year for everyone.

Students/parents/guardians

• Show your child a safe route by which to walk to and from school. Make sure they know how to safely use a crosswalk and obey all traffic control devices and crossing guards.
• Rain, snow, fog and darkness may obscure the vision of motorists, making pedestrians difficult to see. Your child should know that even though they may see an approaching vehicle, environmental conditions may impair the motorist’s ability to see them. Teach them to make eye contact with driver before crossing the street.
• Remind children that listening to loud music on headphones or texting while walking is hazardous as they are less aware of potential traffic dangers around them.
• If waiting for a school bus, ensure your child is aware of the traffic hazards which may be present near the bus stop. Show them a safe place where they may wait to catch the bus.
• In the dim early morning hours or on dark evenings, brightly-coloured clothing, a reflective armband or clothing with reflective strips will help children to be seen by motorists.
• Instruct your child never to run after a school bus in an effort to catch it as neither the bus driver nor other motorists may see them on the road.
• As a pedestrian, do not always assume that you have the right of way.
• If you decide to meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait at the bus stop itself: not across the street from it. Children may forget traffic safety rules in their excitement to see you after their school day and dash across the street.

Drivers:

• Be on the lookout for children and students walking to school as you pull out or back out of your garage and driveway.
• Be alert and mindful that during dim mornings or dark evenings, it can be difficult to see pedestrians.
• Remember, it is illegal to pass a school bus when it’s red lights are flashing red. Drivers on both sides of the road must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are turned off.
• Drivers need to slow down in school zones and be particularly alert for students during school hours, especially when dropping off and picking up children from school.