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City of Richmond

It’s Back to School Time ­– Do Your Part to Ensure Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

02 September 2010 

With the school year starting up again, the City of Richmond requests that everyone observe the following traffic regulations and safety tips, particularly around school zones and playgrounds. 

Motorists:

All motorists are encouraged to enhance the safety of children and all road users by heeding the following traffic safety regulations:

  • The school zone speed limit is 30 km/h from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Drivers must slow down to 30 km/h before entering a school zone.
  • The playground zone speed limit is 30 km/h from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
  • Do not stop in a “No Stopping” zone for any reason. “No Stopping” zones are designated in areas where a stopped vehicle could obstruct the visibility of other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and increase the likelihood of a traffic collision.
  • Do not park in “No Parking” zone. Stopping briefly to drop off or pick up passengers is allowed but waiting in your vehicle or leaving it unattended is not allowed.
  • Do not pass other vehicles in a school zone or a school bus with its red flashing lights on.
  • Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all crosswalks and intersections regardless of whether a crosswalk has special pavement markings, signs and/or a traffic signal.
  • Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on roadways with no sidewalks.

Pedestrians:

  • Use sidewalks when available. On streets with no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
  • Children should be encouraged to use a route to school with sidewalks and crosswalks, even if it is a slightly longer walking distance.
  • Always use a marked crosswalk where available, even if you have to walk further.

When using a crosswalk, follow these procedures:

  1. Hold out your hand to indicate your intent to cross the street.
  2. Look left, right and left again and always make eye contact with drivers of approaching vehicles. Make sure the driver has seen you and has committed to stopping in advance of the crosswalk. 
  3. Make sure all vehicles are stopped before stepping out on the roadway. Before you enter each traffic lane, check for on-coming traffic before completing the crossing.

Property Owners:

  • Make walking more pleasant and safer for pedestrians by trimming back overgrown vegetation from your property that encroaches on adjacent sidewalks and pedestrian pathways, as required by the City’s Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw

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