Apparently, some drivers think the new school zone speed signs don't apply to them.
North Bay Police had a "Back to School Traffic Enforcement Campaign" yesterday and the results aren't promising.
- Two speeding tickets were issued in the Community Safety Zone on Algonquin Avenue between High and Jane/Front Streets while the amber lights were flashing to indicate that the speed is reduced to 40 km/hour. The highest registered speed was 61 km per hour.
- Three speeding tickets were issued in the Community Safety Zone on O’Brien Street between Devonshire and High Street while the amber lights were flashing. The highest registered speed was 67 km per hour, which resulted in the highest speeding ticket of the day at $257.50 (includes court costs and victim surcharge.)
- Four 72-hour notices were issued for failing to show documentation. Drivers have 72 hours to come to North Bay Police Service headquarters to show proof of insurance or vehicle permit.
- Two speeding tickets were issued to drivers travelling on Trout Lake Road where the speed limit is 60 km per hour. They were both travelling over 80, with the highest registering at 86 km per hour.
- Police did not see any drivers who failed to stop for a school bus or who failed to wait for pedestrians and school crossing guards to completely cross the road at school crossings.
- Stock Transportation reports four complaints from their school bus drivers who watched drivers fail to stop for a school bus on Airport Road (one driver); on Elmwood Avenue (one driver) and on McIntyre Street (two drivers). Owners of vehicles can be charged for failing to stop for a school bus even if they weren’t driving the vehicle at the time of the infraction.
The traffic campaign continues every weekday until Friday September 16th, from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m. when school-related traffic is at its peak. Police officers will be monitoring and enforcing traffic laws along school bus routes, in community safety zones where speeds are reduced to 40 km per hour and at school crossings where young pedestrians are crossing the road with the help of school crossing guards.
