The streets were filled with excitement, laughter, and smiling faces as kids returned to 麻豆精选 schools on Tuesday morning (Sept. 6).
School is back in #麻豆精选 and kids make their way to their first day at Springvalley Elementary and Middle School pic.twitter.com/JChkzSYgNJ
鈥� Jordy Cunningham (@CunninghamJordy) September 6, 2022
With the busy streets, there鈥檚 a greater importance to safety on and off the road and in the surrounding areas. Capital News caught up with 麻豆精选 RCMP Constable Mike Della-Paolera about school and road safety as the new school year begins.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the first day back to school and the kids are going to be excited,鈥� said Della-Paolera. 鈥淲e鈥檙e asking parents, drivers: slow down. School zones are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. most Monday-Fridays for the next 10 months.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e asking parents, drivers: slow down鈥� pic.twitter.com/19oPcEgTl6
鈥� Jordy Cunningham (@CunninghamJordy) September 6, 2022
麻豆精选 is the only district to have the school zones start at 7:30 a.m. Everywhere else is staying at 8 a.m.
Della-Paolera and the RCMP are also urging people to stay away from distracted driving, including being on phones and having pets sit in your lap.
It鈥檚 also smart to make a plan ahead of time to avoid rushing in and out of the school zones.
鈥淕ive yourself some time,鈥� said Della-Paolera. 鈥淭he school zones are busy first thing in the morning. Maybe leave a few minutes earlier, maybe pick up your Starbucks after you drop your kids off so there鈥檚 no rushing.鈥�
But it鈥檚 not just drivers, hundreds of kids across the 麻豆精选 have to take precaution when they鈥檙e walking and biking to school.
鈥淧arking your car across the street from your elementary school to pick up your young one, that鈥檚 going to prompt them to run across the street without checking both ways,鈥� said Della-Paolera. 鈥淚f the kids are really small, maybe get out and walk them across the street as they learn the rules of the road and how to cross the street safely.鈥�
And all these precautions don鈥檛 just apply to elementary school but to kids from all grades, including those in high school who will be able to drive either now or as the school year goes on.
鈥淔irst time drivers [with their] N鈥檚, they鈥檒l be excited,鈥� said Della-Paolera. 鈥淲e were all kids at one time and we鈥檙e not paying attention to everything else happening around us. Be alert, drive without any distractions, and watch for the kids. This is a time you don鈥檛 want to have a bad memory so drive safely, [and] follow the rules of the road that you were taught recently in the driving lessons.
It鈥檚 a new school year and every kid wants to make the most of it.
鈥淢ake good memories,鈥� said Della-Paolera. 鈥淲e want 10 months of a happy time at school, enjoying ourselves, learning, positive relationships, positive days at school so drive safe and enjoy your next 10 months.鈥�
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@cunninghamjordy
jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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