With students set to return to Nanaimo district schools Tuesday (Sept. 5), Nanaimo RCMP are reminding drivers to keep school zone speed limits in mind.
In a school zone, the speed limit is 30 kilometres per hour, which is in effect Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to a press release. Playground speeds are in effect from dusk to dawn, year-round.
Motorists, whether they are behind a stopped bus or approaching from the opposite direction, are required by law to stop for all school buses when children are boarding or disembarking and the red lights are flashing.
For students who are walking, they must only cross at marked intersections and make eye contact with approaching drivers and cross only when the vehicle is coming to a stop. If they are cycling, they must dismount and walk their bicycle across a crosswalk. Students are also asked to wear bright-coloured clothes.
Parents are asked to instruct their children to not accept rides from strangers and should a driver stop to speak to a child, the child should never approach the vehicle.
Anyone with questions about traffic safety is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.