School Zones will be back in effect in Grande Prairie as of Thursday, with summer coming to an end and the new school year beginning.
According to Grande Prairie Enforcement Services officials, along with the speed reduction in school zones, drivers should also anticipate busy crosswalks as students return to class.
Across Grande Prairie, the maximum speed limit in school zones is 30 kilometres an hour and will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. As well, playground zones are enforced from 7:30 a.m. until one hour after sunset, with the maximum speed limit in these areas also being 30 kilometres an hour.
Mayor Jackie Clayton says while the back-to-school season is an exciting time of the year, this is an important reminder to help ensure it is a safe and positive experience for students, teachers and parents.
“The City thanks everyone for exercising extra caution as school zones come back into effect so we can keep our roads and community safe,” Clayton says.
Officials are advising drivers to stay alert in areas where pedestrians may suddenly appear, including intersections and crosswalks, keep an eye out for school safety patrollers and follow their directions. Other pieces of safety advice include being extra cautious when backing out of driveways and parking stalls, never passing another moving vehicle within a school or playground zone during active hours and watching for students riding bicycles and other methods of transportation.
