Back to school returns next Tuesday

White Rock

2024-08-27 08:43 PDT

School will be starting again this coming Tuesday September 3rd, and that means streets in White Rock will be busier and school zones will be in effect. Roper Avenue in White Rock has two elementary schools 1.5 km apart (White Rock Elementary and Ecole Peace Arch Elementary)

White Rock RCMP officers and volunteers will be out in full force on Tuesday morning and the remainder of the week making sure drivers slow down and obey road signs. White Rock RCMP have the following safety tips to help keep families and school staff safe while getting to school.
Drivers:

Slow down. The posted speed limit in school zones is 30 km/h between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 30 km/h from dusk to dawn all year round at playgrounds. It takes a vehicle 13 metres to come to a complete stop when driving at 30 km/h, but 27 metres – more than double that distance – when driving at 50 km/h.
Keep a look out for the unexpected. Watch for children walking on medians, roadways and curbs, and be cautious when approaching intersections. Until children are about eight years of age, it is difficult for them to assess whether a vehicle is moving or not.
Stopped for a reason. Think twice before darting in front of a stopped car, they may be yielding for a pedestrian.
Drop it and drive. Do not operate a mobile device when driving. It is illegal for drivers to hold, operate, communicate or watch the screen of a hand-held electronic communication device, including sending or receiving text messages or electronic e-mail on any type.

Pedestrians and Cyclists:

Use crosswalks whenever possible. When walking or cycling with your kids to and from school, choose a route that has the least amount of street crossings, and where possible, choose intersections with a pedestrian crossing light or a marked crosswalk.
See eye to eye. Always look left and right and then left again before crossing a street, and make eye contact with drivers so you know they’ve seen you.
Don’t text and walk. Stay unplugged and leave gadgets in backpacks when walking or cycling to and from school so you can focus on the road and see, hear and respond safely.
Be seen. When walking and biking, wear high visibility clothing.
Talk to the hand. Use hand signals when riding a bike and always wear a properly fitted CSA approved bike helmet when riding…it’s the law.

three police volunteers next to a speed board indicating 22 with a 30km/h sign