Drivers speeding in school zones

(CMR) A recent operation carried out by the new RCIPS Eastern Districts Road Policing Unit has revealed that drivers are going above the 15MPH speed limit through school zones when the reduced speed limit warning lights are flashing.

The new RCIPS Eastern Districts Road Policing Unit (EDRPU) commenced duty on Monday, 28 March, and spent their first week focusing on traffic movement through the districts' school zones.

This included static officers monitoring the zones, where speed limits change to 15MPH during school drop off and pick up times, and issuing warnings and tickets where appropriate.

Over the course of the week, the EDRPU issued 62 tickets, 46 of which were for speeding offenses. In seven of these speeding offenses, the motorists were traveling more than double the school zone speed limit.

Unit manager PS Joleta Wolliston said, “over the course of the week, my team saw  any motorists driving above the 15MPH speed limit through the school zones, when the reduced speed limit warning lights were flashing”

PS Wolliston reminds the public of the importance of slowing down through school zones. PS Wolliston said:

“Children are unpredictable and can dart out from behind parked cars onto the roadway at any moment. This is why it is vital to abide by the 15MPH speed limit during the specified times in school zones, in order to enable our children to get safely to and from school.”

Over the coming weeks, PS Wolliston's team will continue paying particular attention to Eastern Districts school areas during crucial times when the lights are flashing and issuing tickets or sending Traffic Offence Reports (TOR) for anyone who exceeds the sum of $500.00.

Persons who receive a TOR will need to attend court and may lose their license for a period of time. The cost per mile over the speed limit of 15MPH while lights are flashing is $40.00 per 1MPH over.

“We want to emphasize to motorists that speeding is really not worth the risk when you weigh up the potential outcomes,” said Inspector Andre Tahal, Head of the RCIPS Traffic and Road Policing Unit.

“Not only are you  dangering yourself, your passengers, and other road users when you speed, but also, when you are caught. Your wallet and your lifestyle take a hit too, when you find yourself paying fines or losing your license for a period of time. Please slow down, particularly in school zones, and always drive with consideration of other road users,” he added.