Motorists and pedestrians: Use caution during back to school commute

September 7, 2021
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

News release

As students prepare for back to school, the Nova Scotia RCMP is reminding motorists and pedestrians to proceed with caution on the daily commute.

Whether you're travelling by car, school bus or walking on a crosswalk or sidewalk, here are a few safety tips to ensure everyone has a safe start to the school year.

School zones

When entering a school zone, motorists must slow down during school hours and assume children are present. When the speed limit is 50 km/h, motorists must slow to a maximum of 30 km/h when children are present. On weekends, evenings and holidays, motorists may drive the speed limit unless children are near. Motorists can be fined the below for a first offence of speeding in a school zone:

  • $352.50 and two points on your license for driving 1-15 km/h over the speed limit
  • $467.50, three points and a seven-day suspension for driving more than 16-30 km/h
  • $697.50, four points and a seven-day suspension for travelling 31 or more km/h over the limit

School buses

Each year, police receive reports of vehicles passing school buses. When school buses are parked in the street with their "Stop" sign extended and their red lights flashing, motorists must come to a complete stop. Failure to stop for a school bus could result in a fine of $410 and six points on your license.

Students

Don't forget to remind the students in your life to always using caution when walking and crossing the road near buses and when getting on and off the bus. Students should always wait for their buses at the designated spot away from the road.

For more school zone safety tips, "like" us on Facebook (Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia), follow us on Twitter (@RCMPNS) and look for the hashtag #SchoolZoneSafety. You can also visit www.facebook.com/schoolbussafetyNS for more info.

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Contact information

Cpl. Chris Marshall
Public Information Officer
Nova Scotia RCMP
Cell: 902-222-0154
chris.marshall@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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