Kimberley RCMP is dealing with ongoing speeding in school zones throughout the community, particularly near Maysville Elementary School.
Detachment Commander Sergeant Steve Woodcox says issues with speeding near the elementary school are compounded by other factors.
“My officers and I spent some time with the crossing guard there, and we have some concerns with the lighting, especially in the morning when it’s still dark and there may be some other issues with improper signage,” said Woodcox.
Woodcox says the detachment is working to get these issues addressed.
“I’ve taken some concerns from the school and some concerns that we had and forwarded them to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit,” said Woodcox.
“I’ve been told they’re going to an assessment in that area some time in the spring to see if the lighting is proper or if there needs to be more signage.”
Maysville Elementary School is located near the edge of town, along the central highway.
“There’s a daycare opening at the school, so we’re going to see more children down there and we kind of want to get ahead of this,” said Woodcox.
“We just want to make it safer, whether that means more lighting or more signage. We just need something to let drivers know about an upcoming sidewalk.”
Woodcox says speeding in school zones is also an issue near McKim Middle School.
“I just want to remind the public that the speed limit in school zones is 30 kilometres per hour,” said Woodcox.
“Some of these kids may not always be paying attention and we, as motorists, need to drive slow. That way, if something happens and a child comes out, we have time to slow down.”
Until the Ministry of Transportation and Transit completes its assessment and implements some solutions, Woodcox says officers will keep a lookout.
“What we’ve been doing lately is having more of a presence in these school zones in the morning to enforce traffic rules,” said Woodcox.
“We’re just asking the public to slow down, pay attention, stay off your phone and make sure the ice and snow is scraped off your windows.”
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