Edmonton police vow to increase traffic enforcement in school zones this year

Edmonton drivers are being urged to stay extra vigilant in school zones this year, as students return to classes this week.

During the last school year – from September 2022 to June 2023 – 3,526 tickets were issued by Edmonton police in playground zones. EPS wants to see that number dramatically decrease.

The force intends to step up traffic enforcement around schools.

“I think the vast majority of drivers are doing what they’re supposed to, and I think that’s across the board as far as traffic and speed goes,” said Sgt. Kerry Bates with the EPS traffic safety unit.

“There are those who don’t care, or don’t pay attention or think they’re above it, so hopefully we will encounter those people and get it straightened out.”

The posted speed limit is 30 km/h in school zones and playgrounds.

Bates says it comes down to reducing speed and being aware of your surroundings – the latter applying to both drivers and pedestrians.

“If you’re doing the speed (limit), you have nothing to worry about,” he said. “Just pay attention. And for pedestrians and cyclists who are sharing the road, just keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings and what the cars are doing. Pay attention, and don’t expect the driver to watch out for your safety. Be responsible for your own to some degree.”

Students Alex Wispinski and Tas Deek are crosswalk patrollers. Before school starts, they ensure pedestrians can cross the road safely.

“It can be dangerous sometimes to cross the road if there is a lot of traffic, so we help solve that,” said Tas.

“I stop the road when someone needs to cross because we don’t want them getting hurt,” added Alex.

The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) says about 3,300 students are participating in the crosswalk patroller program in Edmonton alone. Last year, across Alberta, there were 12,000 patrollers out at crosswalks.

Alex says it’s not uncommon to see drivers break the rules, even with patrollers there wearing high-visibility vests and waving stop signs.

“We’ve seen some cars go past without looking on the road,” Alex said. “Last year, I saw a person on their phone, and they drove right by when I had the stop sign out.”

Crosswalk patrollers outside Velma E. Baker School in southeast Edmonton Sept. 5, 2023. (Laura Krause, CityNews)

Crystal Vercholuk, a coordinator with AMA’s school safety patrol, says drivers should consider avoiding school zones altogether in the morning.

“If you are commuting to work, and you don’t need to go through a school zone, consider taking a different route,” she said. “And if you do, make sure you’re paying attention to those cross walks, and using extra caution around busses and really just taking your time through those zones.

“A lot of crosswalks have some really great infrastructure and markings, but a lot don’t so having those patrollers out there in their bright vests really creates that visibility, and are also leaders who model safe crossing to the younger students.”