SQ asking motorists to follow the rules as school returns

SQ asking motorists to follow the rules as school returns

With thousands of children heading back to school across the province next week, provincial police are asking motorists to respect the rules of the road. Between August 30 and September 7, the SQ will be increasing their presence near schools. They would like to remind motorists of the rules going forward:

• Obey posted speed limits. In a school zone from Monday to Friday, from September to June, the speed limit cannot exceed 50 km/h (unless the posted speed is 30 km/h for the school zone) between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The fine is doubled if the offense is committed within the specified period.

• Motorists approaching a school bus or minibus with intermittent red lights on must stop more than five meters from the bus or minibus. The same applies when the bus or minibus makes use of its obligatory stop signal. Thus, it is possible to cross or pass a school bus only when the intermittent red lights are off and the mandatory stop signal is closed. However, it is important for road users to make sure it is safe to do so. The penalty for this violation is 9 demerit points.

• When traffic is directed by an officer, a school crossing guard or a signaller responsible for directing traffic during work, motorists must obey their orders and signals.