Helping kids get to and from school safely in fall weather conditions will be the focus of a November enforcement campaign for Burnaby RCMP Traffic Services.

 As we get further into the fall, conditions are typically darker and rainy, inclement weather is more common. This combination of lower visibility and wet roads increases the risk for pedestrians: according to ICBC, nearly half of crashes involving pedestrians take place between October and January.

 Burnaby Traffic Services officers will be concentrating on school zones for their latest enforcement initiative throughout the month of November. Officers will be at schools throughout the city, ensuring students and staff are staying safe on the roads and drivers are obeying school zone speed limits of 30 kilometres an hour from 7AM to 10 PM, Monday to Friday. 

“This is the time of year when we know poor visibility and inclement weather increase the risk on our roads, and we want to make sure kids are safe on their way to school and returning home,” said Sgt. Gary Johal with Burnaby RCMP Traffic Services. “While we always reinforce school zone safety at the beginning of the school year, November is a great time for a reminder given the changing conditions.”

 Safety tips for drivers:

• Slow down and drivers for the conditions
• Stay focussed on the road – avoid distractions
• Keep an eye out for pedestrians all along your drive – not just at intersections and crosswalks
• Ensure your lights and wipers are functioning properly