This summer, drivers have noticed there’s a new posted speed limit for school zones in Regina.
City workers have been working to complete a summer-long project of replacing old school zone speed limit signs with the new signage.
This comes after city council moved to drop the speed from 40 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour.
Around 80 per cent of the new signs are up in school zones throughout the city as the first day of classes quickly approaches.
The bylaw change isn’t in effect until September 1, meaning if drivers are over 30 km/h but are remaining under 40 km/h before next Sunday, the Regina Police Service (RPS) says they won’t get a ticket.
However, Elizabeth Popowich with RPS suggested motorists should be taking the opportunity to getting used to the change.
“Even if the bylaw doesn’t come into effect until September 1st, take the time to practice now,” she said. “I have a school zone near my house and every morning I slow down to 30 km/h and I know how it feels in my vehicle to be going 30.”
The speed limit will remain year-round as it has in the past, but there are a couple new rules worth noting.
New hours in effect will change from the previous 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on the new signs.
Also new with the bylaw – drivers will be ticketed if they perform a U-turn within school zones and playground zones.
With all these new regulations for people to keep in mind, Popowich confirmed that motorists can expect police near school zones during the first several days of school to make sure they are following the updated rules.
“We are going to see them using laser speed enforcement, and we’re going to be doing lots of talking to remind folks.”
RPS is warning the public that their vehicle will be impounded if they are caught travelling over 30 km/h once the bylaw is active.
