Medicine Hat police urge drivers to be alert as students return to school Monday and Tuesday

“We’re hoping that drivers can slow down, stay alert, and be prepared for the increase in pedestrian traffic around the schools,” Thorburn said.

He identified areas around Notre Dame Academy on Spruce Way and St. Francis Xavier School on Eighth Street Northeast as some of the city’s problem areas, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup.

Thorburn said children can be unpredictable, especially during the first few weeks of school as they settle back into their routines.

Police are asking drivers to put away distractions, watch for crossing guards, obey posted speed limits and be patient during busy periods.

Parents and guardians can also help by talking to their children about safe ways to get to and from school.

Thorburn recommends reminding children to use crosswalks, look both ways before crossing, avoid distractions such as headphones and phones, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.

Drivers are also reminded to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

School buses are another area where drivers need to exercise caution.

Thorburn said motorists should be particularly careful when passing a stopped school bus as children may move unpredictably around the vehicle.

He advised motorists to exercise caution even when the bus does not have its stop arm extended.

Parents dropping off or picking up children are also being asked to avoid blocking driveways or creating additional traffic congestion in residential neighbourhoods.

Thorburn said keeping students safe is a shared responsibility.

“Everyone in this community plays a role in keeping our children safe,” Thorburn said.

“By working together and remaining vigilant, we can make sure that this school year gets off to a safe and positive start for everybody here at Medicine Hat.”

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POTENTIAL FINES

Medicine Hat drivers are also being reminded of the significant fines and demerit points when not following traffic laws.

Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and safely navigate around people crossing the street.

Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk can result in an $810 fine and up to four demerit points.

The same $810 fine applies to drivers who fail to obey a school crossing guard or pass another vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian.

School and playground zones also come with increased penalties.

School zones have a posted speed limit of 30 km/h, and fines for speeding in those zones are doubled compared with standard speeding penalties.

The amount of the speeding fine depends on how far above the posted limit a driver is travelling.

Drivers are also being reminded to stop when approaching a school bus that is picking up or dropping off students.

Failing to stop for a school bus can result in a maximum fine of $567 and six demerit points when a ticket is issued by a peace officer.

Vehicle owners can also be held responsible when a vehicle illegally passes a school bus, and the violation is reported by the bus driver or captured on camera. In those cases, the registered owner can receive a $567 fine, although no demerit points are applied to their licence.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat police urge drivers to be alert as students return to school Monday and Tuesday

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