The roads in British Columbia are busier than ever. People are fitting in last minute vacations, enjoying the fleeting summer sun, and prepping the family for another school year. With students headed back to school, understanding school zones is critical to ensure driver and pedestrian safety in these high traffic areas.
Refreshing your knowledge of rules and regulations regarding school zones, playground zones, and pedestrian safety is essential to being a safe and observant driver. This is especially important when school is starting back up and school zones are back in effect. In this post, we’re taking a look at understanding these rules and regulations.
School Zones
School zones are distinguished with a pentagon, fluorescent yellow-green sign depicting two people crossing the street with school books under their arms. The sign advises drivers that students may be in the immediate area, close by a school. Without a regulatory white speed zone tab posted below, no reduction in speed is required unless children are present and/or necessary for safety. As you approach a school zone, scan well ahead for pedestrians on or nearby the roadway. In addition, always obey the direction of any crossing guards or school patrols.
School zone signs may also display a regulatory white speed zone tab below the fluorescent yellow-green sign. When you see a school zone sign with a 30km/h posted speed, slow down prior to entering the school zone, scan the area for children and identify where the zone ends. The speed limit is in effect between 8am and 5pm on school days, or the hours shown on the sign. These may vary depending on the school. The school zone ends in your direction where it begins in the opposite direction. Look for the back of the pentagon sign on the other side of the street to indicate when you’ve reached the end of the 30km/h zone. Some school zones now post “School zone ends” on the back of the opposing sign.
The white speed limit sign may also read "50 km/h when Children On Highway". This sign is posted on highways considered routes to school, where the posted regulatory speed limit is 60 km/h or higher.
Playground Zones
Playgrounds have their own set of rules. Playground warning signs are yellow, diamond-shaped, and feature an image of a child chasing after a ball. This sign warns motorists of a nearby playground where the presence of children, on or near the roadway, could create a hazard to the motorist. Without a regulatory white speed zone tab posted below, no reduction in speed is required unless children are present and/or necessary for safety.
A playground zone sign may display a regulatory white speed zone tab below it. When you see a playground zone sign with a 30km/h posted speed, slow down to that speed prior to entering the playground zone, scan the area for children and identify where the playground zone ends. Playground zones are in effect from dawn to dusk, every day.
School Buses
In BC, all lanes of traffic, going in either direction, must stop when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing. Children may be crossing the street in front of or behind the school bus. Drivers are required to remain stopped until the bus driver signals it is safe to proceed by retracting the driver side stop sign and turning off the flashing lights.
Drivers may also notice the following sign, which alerts to upcoming school bus stops.
Crosswalks
With students heading back to school, pedestrian traffic will most likely increase as a result. Familiarizing and refreshing your knowledge on crosswalk rules and regulations will ensure everyone’s safety on the road.
You must always be prepared to stop if you see a pedestrian who is about to step out in front of you. Do not enter a crosswalk without scanning to ensure it is clear.
Below are some crosswalk signs and signals you may see.
School Crosswalk
This regulatory sign informs motorists of the location of a school crosswalk. Yield to pedestrians. If there is a crossing guard, follow directions.
Pedestrian Crosswalk
This regulatory sign informs motorists of the location of a pedestrian crosswalk. Yield to people crossing.
Pedestrian Activated Crosswalk
Pedestrian activated crosswalks inform drivers to stop if the lights are flashing.
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After the Labour Day holiday weekend, families will be embracing the beginning of another school year and school zones will become highly trafficked areas. Drivers and pedestrians can all do their part to follow the rules and regulations in school zones and ensure everyone’s safety!