Police to start handing out tickets for school zone speeding

Drivers exceeding the speed limit in school zones in Edmonton wont be just learning a lesson theyll be handed a ticket.

The grace period for the citys new 30 km/h speed limit around elementary schools has ended and the city vows it will crack down on those breaking the law to ensure children in school zones are safe.

Since the new speed zones came into effect in September 2014, 5,480 warnings have been issued by Edmonton police, a sign that Gerry Shimko, the executive director of the citys Office of Traffic Safety, shows people are not getting the message.

He emphasized that point with the CBC's Mark Connolly on Edmonton AM on Thursday morning.

On mobile? Listen to the interview with Gerry Shimko here.

The number are quite high," he said."With school zones where theres such a higher risk, its definitely not a positive trend."

Of the 38,198 vehiclesmonitored since September 2014, only 56 per cent of drivers were travelling at or below 30 km/h.

Patricia Lukian doesnt need to see a list to know that Inglewood, where her son goes to school, is one of the worst spots for drivers exceeding the posted speed limit.

Its almost like they dont see the kids, she said standing outside Inglewood Elementary with her son, Kiernan on Wednesday afternoon.

Theyre doing more than 30 [kilometres], definitely, theyre not even paying attention, theyre forgetting there is a school there and theyre kind of just carrying on their normal speed.

"It's unbelievable how people fly by here." said Brittany Boucher, who also lives in Inglewood, adding she doesnt always feel safe walking in the neighbourhood.

Time is precious, I understand that, but they have to be cautious of the children.

Top 10 locations for school zone speeders:

• St. Philip Elementary School, 144 Avenue/88 Street
• St. Boniface School, 40 Avenue/118 Street
• Northmount School, 140 Avenue/89 Street
• Ecole publique Gabrielle-Roy, 95 Avenue/87 Street
• Millwoods Christian School, Mill Woods Road/91 Street
• Ormsby Elementary School, 184 Street/62B Avenue
• Inglewood Elementary School, 127 Street/115 Avenue
• Talmud Torah School, 122 Street/Callingwood Road
• Holy Family Elementary-Junior High School/T.D. Baker School, Mill Woods Road E/17 Avenue
• St. Elizabeth Elementary School, Mill Woods Road/36 Avenue

Shimko told CBC News thatEdmonton Police plan to launch an advertising campaign to further educate people about school zones and the consequences of breaking the law, aswell as investigate why some areas of the city are seeing less compliance.

EPS Deputy Chief Brian Simpson is even stronger in his analysis of the traffic infractions, saying the education period is over and going forward the EPS will be working with the Office of Traffic Safety to enforce the school zone speed limits with all tactics at our disposal, including manned enforcement and photo radar.

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