30 km/h speed limit in Saskatoon school zones coming back into effect

If you drive in Saskatoon, remember the number "30" when you start your ignition Tuesday.

Reduced speed limits in elementary and high school zones come back into effect Sept. 1.

The maximum is 30 km/h from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday to Friday until June 30, including statutory holidays and school breaks.

"It only takes on average 12 seconds or so of additional time for a driver to drive through your typical school zone in Saskatoon, driving at 30 km/h compared to driving 50 km/h," said Jay Magus, Engineering Manager in the city's Transportation Division.

"We feel this additional time is very important, as it increases the level of safety for all pedestrians in around school, and most notably our young children."

Fines for speeding in a school zone start at $192, and the driver will incur SGI demerit points.

More than 3,000 speeding tickets last year

In 2014, 3,061 drivers were ticketed in Saskatoon school zones. According to SGI, there were 10 collisions or incidents, resulting in four injuries.

U-turns are prohibited in schools zones. Also, drivers are not allowed to stop and park in school bus loading zones.

SGI is continuing its automated speed enforcement pilot project. One camera will rotate through these five school zones:

• St. Michael Community School, 22 33rd Street E.
• École Henry Kelsey School, 16 Valens Drive
• Brownell/St. Angela, Russell Road
• École Canadienne-Française, 1407 Albert Avenue (zone on Clarence Avenue between Third and Fifth Streets)
• Mother Teresa/Silverspring, Konihowski Road

Posted signs clearly indicate where automated speed enforcement is in use.