With young children in elementary school and pre-school, I have occasion to be in school zones and community school zones regularly. I drive my children to school in the morning. The areas around the school are clearly designated as school zones and community safety area, with reduced speed limits. There are elementary school kids and high school children walking to school in plain view. Despite the signs, and the presence of kids, some drivers continue to speed through the areas as if they are on a rural road. Many of these drivers are travelling at more than double the posted speed limit.
As a personal injury lawyer serving Toronto and the GTA, I have seen far too many tragic cases involving school children and other pedestrians struck by cars. There are good reasons for motorists to be warned to slow down and exercise caution near schools. One important reason is that kids simply are not as experienced as adults and, generally, kids are less able to protect themselves from the dangers of vehicle traffic. We all know that children do not appreciate and recognize dangers the same way that an adult does. In fact, a child's brain has not fully developed the capacity for good judgement. The responsibility in a school zone rests with the drivers - we all need to do our part to keep kids safe as they walk to and from school. Although most everyone would agree with this point, the reality is that cars and trucks speed near schools every day. Sometimes, when I see a speeding vehicle in the vicinity of school children, I silently wish a police car would be nearby to give a ticket or a warning. There are no police in sight. Is there any more important time or place for police to be patrolling speed than during those hours when kids are going to and from school? I don't think any driver is a fan of speed traps, but I would welcome police presence around schools ever single day when school is in session. Yes, police should be present in school zones every single day when school is in session - not on an occasional or random basis or as part of an awareness campaign. I think that if drivers regularly observed police near school and community safety zones, driver habits would change. Drivers would pay more attention to the school areas, and reduce speeds.
What do you think? Post your comments and let me know your thoughts.
Connect with Andrew Iacobelli on Google+
As a personal injury lawyer serving Toronto and the GTA, I have seen far too many tragic cases involving school children and other pedestrians struck by cars. There are good reasons for motorists to be warned to slow down and exercise caution near schools. One important reason is that kids simply are not as experienced as adults and, generally, kids are less able to protect themselves from the dangers of vehicle traffic. We all know that children do not appreciate and recognize dangers the same way that an adult does. In fact, a child's brain has not fully developed the capacity for good judgement. The responsibility in a school zone rests with the drivers - we all need to do our part to keep kids safe as they walk to and from school. Although most everyone would agree with this point, the reality is that cars and trucks speed near schools every day. Sometimes, when I see a speeding vehicle in the vicinity of school children, I silently wish a police car would be nearby to give a ticket or a warning. There are no police in sight. Is there any more important time or place for police to be patrolling speed than during those hours when kids are going to and from school? I don't think any driver is a fan of speed traps, but I would welcome police presence around schools ever single day when school is in session. Yes, police should be present in school zones every single day when school is in session - not on an occasional or random basis or as part of an awareness campaign. I think that if drivers regularly observed police near school and community safety zones, driver habits would change. Drivers would pay more attention to the school areas, and reduce speeds.
What do you think? Post your comments and let me know your thoughts.
Connect with Andrew Iacobelli on Google+
RSS Feed
