It being September, and with back-to-school on the minds of many, the Citizen recently published a school zone safety reminder for drivers.
Each year across the province 380 children are injured and six are killed while walking or cycling. This includes 86 kids who were injured in playground and school zones, despite the fact that 7,900 drivers were ticketed for speeding in school and playground zones last year.
The general consensus out there from our readers is that no school zone is immune from speeding and everyone thinks their school has it the worst.
SEE RELATED: Back to school: ICBC says nearly 400 kids injured each year
“It’s a disgrace that anyone speeds past a school, there is NEVER a reason to speed past a school. You may not have children and you may think you are a good driver but the impossible happens, be the best driver and slow down past schools and parks even if you speed on faster roads please,” wrote Steven Scanlan on the Citizen’s website.
Over on Facebook, Bailey Ann Branscombe said “Lane Rd in front of Drinkwater Elementary is horrible. I live right next to it and walk in the area, and about 90% of drivers speed through the school zone. A lot of the time it’s parents dropping off or picking up their kids.”
Crystal Norton Brooks noted new crosswalk lights on Trunk Road and Susan Snow Norton believes they’re much needed.
“Trunk Road is awful for speeders. Scary crossing on the light by Duncan Christian School. Slow down people!”
ALSO READ: Are your kids anxious about going back to school?
There’s more.
Brea Vlodder wrote that “By Tansor has to be the worst. Nobody pays attention to the stop sign or the speed limit,” while Shauna Theobald said she and her son have waited at the Alexander crosswalk, without pushing the button, and watched 15 cars speed by without stopping to let them cross.
“It’s sad when we’re at the times no one stops, not even for kids to cross,” Theobald added. “I’ve seen people of all ages whip the corner from Beverly to Howard, without stopping. Seriously, what is with the drivers thinking it’s OK to speed and drive like idiots?! The past few years have gotten terrible.”
sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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