Stock photo courtesy of ICBC

By Liam Verster

Back to School Safety

Motorists advised to be cautious as kids are back in school next week

Aug 27, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Kids are going back to school next week, and motorists are reminded to slow down in school zones.

The first day of class at School District 22 is Tuesday, September 3, and ICBC said it’s important drivers pay attention and make sure kids are safe getting to and coming home from school.

Data from the Insurance Corporation of B.C. shows that six children are killed and 359 are injured in crashes throughout the province each year while walking or cycling. In the Southern Interior alone there are two children killed and 33 injured each year in crashes while walking or cycling.

The Crown corporation’s data also showed 51 children are injured in crashes in playground zones across the province every year, including six children in the Interior.

ICBC remind drivers that school zones are in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every school day, and playground speed zones are in place from dawn to dusk every day.

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Motorists are also reminded that school busses cannot be passed in either direction when lights are flashing.

Parents and caregivers are also reminded to not stop in crosswalks or other places that block other drivers from seeing children, to teach their kids the basics of crossing the street, to have their kids wear bright or reflective clothing at night or in poor weather, and to teach children to stay focused on their surroundings while walking, cycling or riding a scooter.

Resources are available at the ICBC website for people to use to teach children and youth road safety skills.