Lead-footed drivers who speed through school zones will face a blitz from Calgary cops starting tomorrow.
As kids with both the public and separate school boards head back to school, police plan on boosting enforcement in the 30 kilometres per hour zones for the next month to ensure a safe return to classes.
Const. Jim Lebedeff of the police traffic education unit said both district patrols and traffic cops will be out in full force to monitor school zones and remind drivers that when the bell rings, it’s time to ease off the gas.
“This week we start our blitzes to tell drivers to be aware and slow down,” he said.
“There’s no excuse for it and there’s no leeway for people who aren’t paying attention.”
The city has about 160 speed reduced school zones that are in force every school day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Those who speed through the zones face tickets depending on their speed, drivers who pass other vehicles in school zones will be hit with a $172 fine and failing to yield for a pedestrian may result in a $575 hit.
Calgary Board of Education spokesperson Ted Flitton said the board is still hoping to convince the provincial government to harmonize school and playground zones.
The more than 800 playground zones in Calgary are in effect from 8:30 a.m. until one hour after sunset.
