CAA, police spot 548 instances of dangerous driving in school zones

The Canadian Automobile Association conducted itssixth annual test Wednesday to see whether Winnipeggers slow down in school zones and drivers flunked.

In just nine minutes, police Const. RichAminotnabbed seven drivers going faster than the posted 30 kilometres per hour speed limit. Over the course of two-hour safety awareness event, CAA said it caught 548 instances of dangerous driving.The fastest vehiclereached 65km/h in the 30km/h zone.

What Winnipeggerswere caught doing in school zones, as reported byCAA:

• A driver was seen with dog in lap while driving.
• Distracted cycling: someone biking and texting at the same time.
• A woman smoking with a young child in a car seat, which is against the law.
• A Winnipeg Transit bus caught going more than 40 km/hin a 30 km/hschool zone, confirmed by a Winnipeg police traffic unit with a laser speed reader.
• A teenager walking across the intersection with headphones on, unaware of an ambulance with sirens on headed straight toward the teen.
• Two drivers crossed the yellow line to pass cars in the left lane on Mountain Avenue, just before traffic lights, putting pedestrians and drivers at risk of injury and accident.

CAA, police and volunteers were watching for risky driving in three Winnipeg school zones: around St. Ignatius School, Whyte Ridge Elementary and Faraday School.

A total of 76 drivers were caught speeding, while 37 were caught distracted driving. Dozens more failed to stop at crosswalks and stop signs andothers used driveways to drop off passengers and turn around.

Risky drivers caught in school zones

8 years ago

Duration 1:11

CAA, police spot 548 instances of dangerous driving in school zones

Resident fed up with speeders

AndrewHuhn, wholivesin an area where CAA and police were stationed, said drivers, including parents of students, routinely ignore school zone speed limits.

"There's going to be a child that's going to get injured or killed on this corner," he said.

When police arein the area,drivers tend to improve their behaviour, Huhn said.

"It seems that the people know when the vehicles are there and they slow down, and as soon as they're gone, it's like a freeway."

No real improvement this year: CAA

MikeMager, president ofCAA Manitoba, said the organization was hoping to see a dramatic reduction in offences, but it appears drivers are notgetting the message.

"The whole idea behind this is just to draw awareness to the fact that you've got to be careful around schools," he said.

"Children are unpredictable. They don't understand like we do to watch for traffic."

Last year, CAA observed1,600instancesof risky drivingbehaviour in school zones during the same annual survey.

Whilethis year's numbers were down,Mager said the amount of speeding and distracted driving this year remains"unbelievable." Hehopes government does more to remind drivers they areentering a school zone.

"We've talked to the province, we've talked to the city about finding ways to put lights [up] or something to draw your attention," he said."Make those signs visible."

CAA noted volunteers collect data for their school zone safety campaign at different locations every year, so they don'tdirectly compare numbers from year to year.

Lower speeds protect pedestrians

The World Health Organization reports pedestrians have a 90 per cent chance of survival when hit by a car travelling 30 km/h, but the survival rate goes down significantly when a car is travelling faster.

People have a 50 per cent chance of surviving if a car isgoing 45 km/h and almost no chance if the vehicle is travelling 80 km/h or faster.

A poll in 2015 found most Winnipeggers are against slower speed limits in school zones.

• Back to school prompts reminder to slow down in school zones

From September to June, drivers in Winnipeg school zones are not allowed to drive faster than 30 km/h. During the school year, tickets for school zone speeders range from $181 to $312.

Penalties for distracted driving in Manitoba are among the toughest in Canada five demerits and a$200fine. Drivers who already have between 10 and 15 demerits paybetween $542 and $3,200 depending on their record.