SGI refreshes drivers on school zone driving

School zones will be a much busier place now that the school year is underway.

SGI is reminding drivers to slow down to help keep the kids safe, and also that school zone speeds will now be enforced.

“We know these kids are excited to go back to school. It’s been a long time since some of them have been around their friends and teachers,” said Tyler McMurchy with SGI. “It’s really important for drivers to be aware of that and slow down.”

The penalties for speeding in school zones are a lot harsher compared to a general ticket.

Going 20 kilometres per hour over the limit in a school zone will result in a $310 ticket and three demerit points. The faster you’re going, the more the ticket will ultimately cost.

Devon Racicot with the Saskatoon Police Service says there will be a much larger police presence in school zones starting on Tuesday.

“You’ll see officers out in many school zones throughout the city. They will be in parked cars or on foot,” Racicot said. “We have many units out monitoring.”

SGI released a study guide on school resuming. It includes things such as watching out for jaywalkers in school zones, being careful around school buses that are unloading and loading, obeying crossing guards and pedestrian lights, avoiding distractions, not parking in ‘no stopping’ zones and dropping your kids off on the same side of the street as the school to reduce the chances of an accident.