SPS shares back-to-school road safety tips

Surrey Police Service is urging drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and families to take extra precautions as most Surrey schools return on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

School zones, residential neighbourhoods and major roads are expected to be especially busy as students and families travel to school. SPS said the adjustment period can last several weeks as foot and vehicle traffic increases.

ICBC says children are more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash between 8 and 9 a.m. and between 3 and 4 p.m. on school days than during the rest of the day. In the Lower Mainland, 277 children walking or cycling are injured in crashes each year, according to ICBC.

SPS advises families to plan school routes together, ensure children know emergency contacts and their home and school addresses, and allow extra travel time. Drivers should observe school-zone limits, follow school-bus safety rules and take particular care in drop-off and pickup areas. Students walking or cycling should avoid headphones and phones near roads, use marked crossings, look both ways and make eye contact with drivers.

Unless otherwise posted, school zones have a 30 km/h limit on school days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Playground zones have a 30 km/h limit daily from dawn to dusk. SPS officers, volunteers and the ICBC road safety team will provide education and enforcement throughout the school year. SPS, ICBC and Surrey Schools will also partner on activities such as Walking Wednesdays, which promote walking and cycling to reduce school-zone traffic and fuel emissions and support physical activity.