Drive this way through the school zone
Sep
1
Written by:
01/09/2010 12:35 PM
When the school bells return to their routine ringing in September, it reminds me that there is going to be more traffic on my drive to work and that my days of sailing through the side streets of the city are at an end. I must admit that the two months when the pack-laden kids are not on the streets during the morning rush is my favourite time to drive.
The truth is drivers like me need to remember that we are just as responsible for kids arriving safely at school as their parents, bus drivers and crossing guards.
I challenge every driver to not only be mindful of the kids on the streets, but to actually stick to the posted school zone speed limit. That means not driving 10 km/hr over the limit; leeway that most drivers seem to give themselves. Why? Think about this: For each 1.6 km reduction in average speed, collision frequency is reduced by five percent.
At speeds greater than 40 km/h, both drivers and pedestrians are more likely to make mistakes in judging the time required to stop or cross the street safely. At a speed of 30 km/h, vehicles and pedestrians are able to co-exist with relative safety. In a 2008 poll conducted by Safe Kids Canada, the majority of Canadians (85 percent) agreed they would willingly slow their speed from 50 km/hour to 30km/hour in residential areas, if they knew it would have a positive impact on child safety. Knowing this can save a child’s life should encourage all Canadians to follow the rules of the road and practice safe speeds.
Remember, roads are public spaces meant to be used by everyone. Share the road and always yield to pedestrians.
Safe Kids Canada is generously funded by FedEx Express Canada to provide the Walk This Way pedestrian safety program year-round, providing education, resources and support for parents and community groups to increase the safety of their streets. For more information visit the pedestrian safety section on our website.
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