After a month-long speed watch campaign, spearheaded by the Prince George RCMP Patrol Volunteers, it’s clear that many drivers still aren’t remembering the school zone speed limits.

Over the month of September, the RCMP Patrol Volunteers and Prince George RCMP Traffic Services officers spent nearly 80 hours monitoring drivers at many of the school zones around town. It quickly became clear that many drivers weren’t paying attention to the changes in the marked speed limit.

Over 35% of drivers were caught speeding through school zones during school hours. Which means, that of the more than 4500 vehicles that passed through these speed zones, over 1700 of them were speeding. More than 100 of the vehicles recorded during the campaign ignored the school zone all together and failed to slow down in the school zones at all.

“The number of motorists disregarding these speed zones is concerning,” states Corporal Jennifer Cooper, BC RCMP Spokesperson for Northern B.C. “School and playground zones are areas where drivers must be especially vigilant. Children can be unpredictable, often moving quickly and without warning, and a moment of inattention can have devastating consequences. Reducing your speed and remaining alert gives you the time and distance needed to react if a child suddenly enters the roadway. Slowing down isn't just about following the law; it's about protecting lives.”

Prince George RCMP thanks all the motorists who remembered the school zone speed limit change and slowed down accordingly.