According to a news release, fines will range from a minimum $100 for a first offence up to a maximum of $1,500. A brochure will be mailed out to all households and print ads have been placed in newspapers across the province starting Wednesday to help raise awareness of the fine increases.
The move is aimed at helping ensure safety in school zones.
“School zones are busy places during peak periods with any number of hazards for children,” O’Brien said. “Parents and school buses are dropping off or picking up children. Speeding is always dangerous but in school zones, in particular, motorists need to be vigilant and abide by the posted speed limit, helping to reduce the potential of a serious incident.”
Education Minister Darin King said he hopes stiffer fines will curb the speeding in school zones.
“Speeding in school zones is completely unacceptable and we hope these higher fines will reinforce that fact,” King said. “We often have young children crossing roads and it is up to motorists to drive cautiously, and to ensure the safety of our students.”
The release notes that speeding creates the potential for serious injury to children in school zones. Children do not always look both ways before crossing the street or they may dart into the road without realizing the danger of doing so. By speeding, drivers may not be able to react quickly enough in one of these situations. Drivers need to slow down and devote their full attention to what is happening in these busy zones.
“Speeding in school zones is completely unacceptable and we hope these higher fines will reinforce that fact.” - Education Minister Darin King
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has made a number of recommendations in relation to the upcoming start of the new school year.
• Motorists reduce speed in school zones, especially during early morning hours, lunch and in the afternoons when school is finished for the day;
• Motorists pay particular attention to children walking to school as they often cross the road in areas where there is no crosswalk;
• Parents are asked to educate their children as to their responsibilities in walking to and from school. Crosswalks are to be utilized;
• Parents dropping students off to school in their vehicles are asked to obey the parking directions set out by each school in order to alleviate traffic problems in these areas;
• Do not rush. Leave enough time so you and your children can get to school safely;
• Members of the RNC Traffic Services and Street Patrol Division will be patrolling these school areas on a regular basis to ensure speeds are reduced and pedestrians are safe and using crosswalks.
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