Leduc officers join forces to share back-to-school safety tips

With the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Leduc RCMP in partnership with the City of Leduc Enforcement Services, are reminding everyone to do their part to keep the roadways safe for students and staff as they head back to the classroom.

Motorists are reminded that the speed limit on residential streets is 40km/hour and all school zones in the City of Leduc are 30km/hour on school days between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Whether you’re heading back to school or to work, please consider these safety tips.

Tips for drivers:

Give yourself extra time. Traffic is more congested and your drive times may be affected.
Watch for pedestrians. There are more kids walking, riding and getting dropped off in school zones. Children may be arriving late and dart into the street without looking.
Slow down. Reduce your speed and obey the signs – the speed limit in school zones is 30 km/hr
Stop for school buses. If a school bus is displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, traffic in both directions you must stop. You may only continue when the lights stop flashing.
Keep your distance. School buses stop frequently – keep your distance and leave extra room for sudden stops.
Obey signage: no stopping zones. Don’t stop driving or let kids out of the car in a no stopping zone.
Obey signage: no parking zones. Don’t park in a no parking zone. School buses or other school vehicles may need access to these areas to safely unload their student passengers.
Drive safely. Never overtake other vehicles and avoid U-turns and three-point turns in school zones or near crosswalks.
Obey crossing guards. Listen and watch crossing guards – and ensure you allow pedestrians and crossing guards to reach the sidewalk before proceeding. It’s the law.
Avoid distractions and focus on driving. If you’re on the phone, eating or sipping your coffee, your reaction time will be slower if a child darts out into your path.

Tips for students:

Plan your route. It’s a good idea to map out your walking route to school ahead of time.
Avoid distractions and focus on walking. Put away electronic devices, cell phones and ear buds so you can hear approaching traffic.
Don’t jaywalk. Always cross the road at an intersection, cross walk or with a crossing guard.
Crossing basics. Stop at the curb. Look left and right for oncoming vehicles, then look left over your shoulder for vehicles that might be turning. When the intersection is clear, start crossing and keep looking for approaching vehicles.
Look. Make sure all vehicles have stopped before entering the road. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, even if the walk signal is on.
Don’t cut through parked cars. Avoid shortcuts through parking lots or around parked cars where it’s harder for drivers to see you.
Sidewalk/no sidewalk. Walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk away from the road, so you’re further away from traffic. Walk facing oncoming traffic if there isn’t a sidewalk, so you can see approaching vehicles and make eye contact with drivers.
Be seen. Wear bright clothes and/or reflective gear especially at night and in poor weather.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Do your part this back-to-school season to make sure students and adults get where they’re going safely”, says Constable Cheri-Lee Smith, Leduc RCMP Community Policing.

“Thank you to everyone who drives with care at or below the posted speed limit,” says City of Leduc Mayor Bob Young. “Safe speeds go a long way to making Leduc’s neighbourhoods safer and quieter for all and is especially important to keep in mind during the back-to-school season as both driver and pedestrian traffic increases.”

Cst. Cheri-Lee Smith
Leduc RCMP