Winnipeg school zone speed limits dip to 30km/h today
Winnipeg police to monitor school zone areas “very, very carefully,” says spokesperson
Winnipeg police will be out in full force as kids go back to school this week, enforcing new speed limits in school zones.
“We’re certainly going to be monitoring these areas very, very carefully,” said Const. Jason Michalyshen. “It is going to take some time … We’re optimistic that everybody will comply very quickly.”
On Sept. 1, the speed limit around 171 Winnipeg schools was reduced to 30 kilometres per hour.
“[Young children] can be sometimes pretty unpredictable pedestrians, and we want these areas to be even more safe,” he said. “We’re hoping that members of the public take note and reduce those speeds.”
Michalyshen said they expect some people to adopt the new speeds right away, but they know it will take longer for others.
“Right now, we understand it’s something new. Kids are back in school,” he said. “I can’t speak for every member within the service … There’s going to be certain situations that dictate a conversation.”
Michalyshen said not every car who gets pulled over is going to get a ticket, and it’s at the discretion of the officer to decide what’s best.
“It’s about changing behaviours in the most effective way possible,” he said.
Fines start at $181.50 for going 10 km/h over the posted speed limit. Drivers who are caught at 20 km/hr over the limit — in other words, driving at 50 km/h in a school zone — face a $312.25 fine.
A full list of fines can be found in the "Speeding Table" section of Manitoba Justice's Brown Book, starting at Page 2-22.