Following all the summer sun and fun, it can be difficult to settle in to the back-to-school routine.
Rushing to get the kids out the door and yourself to work is a major issue among parents.
So in an effort to get everyone where they’re going, hopefully somewhat on time, many forget to slow down around town.
It’s easy enough to do, since school zones haven’t been in effect all summer.
So some of the routes you are accustomed to travelling 50 km/h on are now 30.
School zones are now in effect Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Along with the school zones, the big yellow school buses rolled back out onto the roads for another year.
Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP remind motorists that the buses are now running their regular routes, which means frequent stops to pick up and drop off students.
They are also reminding motorists it is illegal to pass a school bus when the vehicle’s red lights are flashing.
Passing the bus if the red lights are flashing is a ticketable offence.
Students who are walking to classes are reminded to use the sidewalks, cross the streets when it is safe to do so, and use pedestrian lights when available.
If everyone exercises caution, the roadways will be safer for drivers and student pedestrians alike.
“We just want people to be careful,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.
“We want to have a safe, good, happy, healthy start to the school year.”
