Grace To Be Extended When Proposed School Zone Changes Occur

Let’s say grace.

Not the religious kind but rather grace from fines resulting from amendments to the Traffic Bylaw.

On Monday afternoon Executive Committee was told proposed amendments to the speed limits in school zones, dropping from 40 km/hr to 30 km/hr and in effect 7 am to 7 pm 365 days a year, when approved would have a grace period before enforcement.

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) has indicated once the proposed new rules came into effect they would not be issuing tickets on them over an undefined grace period.

The only indication of the length of the grace period was that active enforcement and issuing tickets was being targeted to be in place at all schools on the first day of school in September.

The engineering department is planning to have the new standardized signage installed over the course of the summer.

City engineer Bevan Harlton told the committee that once new signage is erected around a school that the proposed changes would come into effect.

At that point the MJPS would start the grace period for issuing tickets on the amendments. The grace period would be used as an opportunity to educate drivers about the changes.

Given that the signage will not be going up on the same day at all schools and that the amendments come into effect it means school zones for a time will have different rules.

The question came up in a question be Councillor Doug Blanc if the automatic speed enforcement camera (photo radar) on the 700 block of Caribou Street West would also be granting a grace period.

“The speed camera that is located at Caribou Street West will that be a grace period too? Because that is kind of out our control a little bit,” Councillor Doug Blanc asked.

In response MJPS Superintendent Taylor Mickleborough said it was something that had not been discussed.

“It’s a good question. I would think sorry it’s something that wasn’t considered…it would be our intention to implement and make a change with that camera with what we determine to be our hard startup for enforcement of the new limit,” Superintendent Mickleborough told the committee.

“Our intention right now is the installation of the signage (and) the first day of school would be the hard start for us to begin full enforcement provided that there has been a sufficient grace period…without knowing the installation times or periods our hope would be…before school started,” he said.

“Those cameras would be in effect at that time is our intention.”

The proposed amendments to the Traffic Bylaw are said to be safety related and standardizing Moose Jaw’s school zones both locally with each other and also with 14 major centres in the province.

The proposed changes will include school zones dropping their speed limits from the present 40 km/hr to 30 km/hr being in effect from 7 am - 7 pm seven days a week and 365 days a year.

The reason for the zones being in effect on days there is no school is many school yards are used as playgrounds on non-school days.

The committee was also informed the changes would also see eliminating drivers from making U turns in school zones.

Additionally areas that are designated as No Parking will become No Stopping zones.

Cost of the entire project is approximately $500,000.

Changing the signage will cost approximately $200,000.

The majority of the budget - $300,000 - will be spent sidewalk repairs and upgrades (ramps) at designated crossings.

Executive Committee voted to put the proposed amendments on the agenda at their next Council meeting for approval.

Come back later in the next few days for a full story.