Richmond RCMP urges drivers to slow down as students return to class

Richmond RCMP is asking drivers to obey posted speed limits and watch for children walking, cycling and riding near schools as students return to class on Sept. 8.

The detachment’s Road Safety Unit and Community Engagement Team will conduct targeted enforcement and outreach outside local schools during the first weeks of the school year, with support from Community Policing Volunteers. Officers will be visible near school zones and available to answer questions from drivers, parents and students.

Unless otherwise posted, school-zone speed limits are 30 km/h on school days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Playground-zone limits of 30 km/h apply daily from dawn to dusk. Police reminded drivers to put away their phones, watch for stopped school buses and be ready to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.

Sgt. Stephen Large of the Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit said the first weeks of school bring more children and traffic to the same streets. He said officers will be near schools across Richmond and asked drivers to slow down, avoid phones and watch for children on foot and on wheels.

Police also asked parents and caregivers to review the rules before allowing children to ride e-scooters to school. Richmond participates in the Province’s Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project, which sets a minimum riding age of 16. Riders must wear helmets, stay off sidewalks and follow road rules.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to follow school drop-off and pick-up procedures, practise walking or cycling routes before the first day, and discuss marked-crosswalk safety with children.

Richmond RCMP has produced a short “Back to School” safety video urging drivers to reduce speed in school zones and near playgrounds, stay focused, watch for stopped buses and look for children crossing. The detachment encourages residents to share the video with family and friends.

According to ICBC, an average of 50 children are injured while walking or cycling in B.C. in September, the highest monthly average. Provincewide, an average of three children are killed and 402 are injured each year in crashes while walking or cycling.

Harvey Kooner, a local ICBC road safety coordinator, said drivers can help children start the school year safely by slowing down, avoiding distractions and watching for children, especially near schools, parks and residential areas. Drivers caught speeding in school or playground zones face fines; those travelling 40 km/h or more over the limit also risk a roadside driving prohibition and vehicle impoundment under B.C.’s excessive-speeding rules.