Outside Rutland Elementary School Wednesday morning, drivers were quick to obey the 30 kilometre an hour speed zone.

RCMP and traffic safety officers lined Webster Road with speed clocks and stop signs, asking traffic to slow down as children made their way to school.

However, at a different school zone in the city, with RCMP still present, a driver was pulled over for speeding and is alleged to have been intoxicated.

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According to Cpl. Jesse O鈥橠onaghey police deal with impaired drivers at all times of the day not just at night, which is a serious concern now school is back in session.

鈥淎 motorist caught going over the posted speed limit could face a minimum fine of $196 and three driver penalty points and depending on the speed they are travelling that could go up in excess of $368 and their vehicle impounded as well,鈥� said O鈥橠onaghey.

The alleged impaired driver was issued an immediate roadside prohibition from driving for 90 days.

鈥淗is vehicle was removed from the roadway and he was also ticketed under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act for having no insurance on his vehicle and for failing to produce his drivers licence,鈥� said O鈥橠onaghey.

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With school back in session another concern to police and parents, is the issue of children not paying attention to traffic as they get excited about returning to class.

鈥淭hey are not necessarily thinking about the risks or safety hazards around them,鈥� said O鈥橠onaghey. 鈥淎 lot of these kids have most likely indoors for much of the summer because of much of the heavy smoke that we experienced here in the Okanagan. So, a lot of these drivers are not necessarily use to sharing the roadway with so many pedestrians, so it is something to be aware of. There are more cyclists, more pedestrians and a lot more kids using the school buses.鈥�

If a member of the public witnesses a traffic violation or issue, especially in a school zone, O鈥橠onaghey said a police report can be made to the non-emergency line in 琉璃神社 that number is 250-762-3300.

jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca
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