‘Stop for school crossing guards’ says West Shore RCMP after reports of drivers ignoring crossing guards

The safety of school staff and students at crosswalks should be top of mind when driving through school zones, according to the West Shore RCMP.

Mounties say they’ve received reports of drivers speeding in school zones ignoring the school guards on the crosswalk recently. 

“This is dangerous for both the crossing guards as well as the students and parents trying to cross the roadway safely,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, West Shore RCMP media relations officer, in a release Thursday.

“We are reminding motorists to follow the speed limit when entering a school zone and obey the school crossing guard’s directions.”

Ahead of Canada Road Safety Week on May 14 – May 20, the West Shore RCMP is reminding drivers to stop for school crossing guards.

Once a driver is stopped by a crossing guard at a crosswalk, they must obey and yield to a pedestrian.

Vehicles behind can’t pass another car, and must remain stopped until all pedestrians have safely crossed the laneway and the school crossing guard has lowered their stop sign.

Under B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act, failing to yield to a pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk can result in a driver getting a $167 fine, plus three demerit points tacked onto their driver’s license.

Drivers who disobey a school crossing guard suffer the same consequences, the act states.

“My co-workers who do morning and afternoon crossing guard duties have sadly almost been hit on numerous occasions, which makes me so thankful for the job because I cannot imagine what would happen to our students if they were not there to help children cross those busy intersections,” said Reddit user MissE14 when school started up again in September.

RELATED STORY:  Crossing guards nearly hit by drivers in Langford sparks concern from locals, school district

Editorial Policies Report an Error