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Updated: School zone safe driving campaign launched

School District 43 asks drivers to "slow down and look around" when they are near schools
School Zone
School District 43 has launched a campaign to make school zones safer and has provided this photo to show the potential consequences of haste and inattention.

School District 43 has launched a public awareness campaign to remind drivers to "slow down and look around" in school zones.

The social media campaign follows a recent pedestrian accident that highlights the need for vigilance near crosswalks as skies are dark and bad weather makes roads slick and visibility poor.

"The goal is to make school zones safer for everyone including the 32,000 students, 4,300 employees and thousands of parents, visitors and community members who drive or walk to and by the district’s 70 schools every day," the district notes in a press release.

The public is being asked to go to www.sd43.bc.ca for facts and tips about driving safely in school zones.

The district is also putting information out on Twitter and Facebook.

The message is particularly timely because of a recent accident.

Last Thursday, a substitute teacher was struck by a car at the crossing of Flint Street and Prairie Avenue, near Kwayhquitlum middle school, however there were no serious injuries.

Coquitlam RCMP reported at the time that the driver was traveling at low speeds and was cooperative with police, they were given a ticket for failing to yield to a pedestrian.

As to whether the Coquitlam RCMP will boost enforcement in school zones this week, spokesperson Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said monitoring school zone speeds is part of the detachment's regular traffic rotation.

“We always get a fairly steady number of requests to come by and help out. It’s an ongoing issue, particularly when parents are dropping off and picking kids up.”

However, speeding isn't the biggest concern in school zones, McLaughlin noted, rather it's improper pick up and drop off.

"It's people who are essentially obstructing traffic. We encourage people to use only the areas that are designated for pick up and drop off," McLaughlin said.

He advised parents to park a half-block away from the school to avoid the congestion and walk the child in or let them walk themselves the rest of the way.