Motorists asked to drive with caution through school zones

As students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador return to the classrooms next week, the provincial government is reminding motorists to drive with extra caution, especially in school zones.

A news release notes that rules outlined in the Highway Traffic Act include:

• Drivers must obey the posted speed limit in school zones and yield to pedestrians using a crosswalk;

• Drivers must not pass a school bus while stopped and must obey the visual signals of the bus driver or the bus, such as the activated stop arm and flashing red or amber lights;

• Drivers are required to leave one metre of open space between their vehicle and bicycle or pedestrian where posted speed limits are 60 kilometres per hour or less;

• Motorists are also reminded that driving while using a mobile phone or any other hand-held electronic device is illegal and poses a serious safety risk to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

In 2016, amendments to the Highway Traffic Act increased penalties for illegally passing a school bus and speeding in a school zone.

Fines for illegally passing a school bus range from $500-$1,200. Excessive speeding in a school zone can lead to vehicle impoundment for up to three days and fines from $400-$1,800.

The act has also recently been amended to address impaired driving, distracted driving, excessive speeding, street racing, stunting and other offences.

The release states that all school buses in the province are held to an extremely high standard and are subject to more rigorous inspection requirements than any other vehicle operated on provincial highways.

School busses are thoroughly inspected several times a year. The most recent inspections continue to show high pass ratings for bus operators with 93 per cent of school busses inspected receiving a pass rating.