Schools and Playgrounds

I pick up my grand daughters one afternoon a week at their rural elementary school. The kindergarten classes march out in line and wait patiently while their teacher identifies each child's caregiver and dismisses them individually. They now join the free for all to walk to the vehicles parked in the area and go home.

Question: I am wondering about the legalities of the school bus stopping in an intersection to discharge students. Rural road, and the bus stops in the intersection like so: / it crosses the centre line to provide coverage for crossing students. Stop signs out and flashing lights activated.

We have children as young as 4 and 5 years old walking to and from Ecole Oceanside Elementary school with their families. They cross at the intersections of Wright Road and Highway 19A, as well as Wright Road and Wembley Road (a 4 way stop) without the benefit of school crossing guards.

Prospect Lake Elementary School is located in the 200 block of Prospect Lake Rd. A few years ago another nearby elementary school was shut down and all the students were sent here. The school population doubled.

The Parent Advisory Council for Hans Helgesen Elementary School near Victoria wanted to solve pedestrian safety issues on Rocky Point Road. The Council was working with the District of Metchosin and wanted to have a marked crosswalk installed at that road's intersection with Windover Terrace. The District was reluctant to do this.

Yes, it's time to consider going back to school again this year. Will it be safe for our children to go to and from school each day?

Somewhere in British Columbia an unsafe situation will be identified and someone will try to do something about it. Understanding what traffic engineers will consider may significantly increase the chances of successfully implementing a change.

While walking my 11 year old son to Van Horne Elementary this morning- yes I have to walk him because of the poor driving in my neighbourhood there was a dangerous situation at the corner of 43rd and Ontario St. My son and I were headed west on 43rd and had the right of way. We looked to ensure no cars were coming in any direction and step into the intersection.

The School Safety Patrol Program is a public service provided free of charge to elementary schools by the BCAA. Part of the CAA's School Safety Patrol Program it is recognized as an outstanding initiative for reducing injuries and deaths among 5-12 year olds.

In Parksville, around the Oceanside Middle School, the school zone sign remains up during the summer. It states the speed to be 30 km/h and underneath a sign says "school days." Other areas do not have the notation of "school days" but do leave up their 30 km/h sign during the summer in the Oceanside area.

Question: There is a school near where I live, with a 30 km/h school zone. Driving one way past the school you encounter the School Zone sign, but after you pass the school, there is no corresponding sign showing the speed increase to 50 km/h.