News release
School zone safety tips – reminder to slow down
August 28, 2025
-
Terrace, British Columbia
From: Terrace RCMP
On this page
Content
With back-to-school just around the corner, the Terrace RCMP would like to take a moment to remind parents, students, and drivers of some tips to stay safe this year.
Beginning on Tuesday, September 2, reduced speed limits are in effect in schools. Unless otherwise marked, every school day all school zone speed limits are 30 kms per hour from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, while the limit in playground zones is 30 km per hour daily from dawn to dusk.
According to ICBC, every year in BC, 359 children are injured in crashes while walking or riding their bike (ICBC safety tips).
Safety tips:
- Drivers watch for school buses. When their lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop.
- Avoid distractions by leaving your phone alone while driving and watching for children walking, cycling or riding scooters. Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.
- In residential areas, slow down and watch for children as they could run into the street at any moment.
Parents, teach your children the basics of crossing the street:
- Stop at the edge of the road.
- Look both ways for oncoming vehicles.
- Make sure vehicles have stopped before stepping on to the road.
- Make eye contact with drivers.
- Continue to watch for vehicles while crossing the road.
- Crosswalks are not intended for cyclists.
Also remember:
- A parent or guardian of a person under 16 years of age must not authorize or allow them to operate an electric kick scooter on a road (street, lane).
Here are some of the penalties in relation to our schools:
- Speed in school zone (exceed by less than 21 km/hr) section 147 of the Motor Vehicle Act - $196
- Speed in school zone (exceed by 21 km/hr or more) section 147 of the Motor Vehicle Act - $253
- Fail to stop for school bus, section 149 of the Motor Vehicle Act - $368
“Let’s keep our eyes on the road and slow down this school year,” said Cst Kelly Cates. “It’s everyone’s job to help keep our students safe.”
The Terrace RCMP plans to show an increased presence in school zones next week as a reminder to drivers that school zone speed limits are back in effect.