MOOSE JAW — City council has officially approved an updated traffic bylaw, which will allow city crews to begin changing signs in school zones this summer to reduce the speeds in those areas.
Council gave third and final reading to the bylaw amendment during its June 24 regular meeting, with members voting 6-1 to approve the change; Coun. Kim Robinson was opposed.
One big change is that speeds in school zones will decrease from 40 kilometres per hour to 30 km/h, effective from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
City crews will start replacing almost 600 signs this summer through the Safe Routes to School Project, including 120 signs in school zones. Once new signs are erected in a school zone, the reduced speed will be in effect immediately.
Meanwhile, police will provide a “grace period” while motorists become used to reduced speeds and use education to inform people about the changes instead of automatically distributing tickets. However, once September arrives, they will start penalizing drivers.
Of note, the fine for speeding in school or playground zones is $170, plus $8 for each kilometre per hour over 30 km/h.
The bylaw also proposes 17 other changes, such as allowing city administration to move vehicles so construction can occur, strengthening language with general permit requirements and enforcement, providing clarity on U-turns and no-stopping areas, giving the city manager more authority to make decisions and adding fines.
Also, the bylaw lets the city erect traffic control devices to slow motorists, forces drivers and pedestrians to obey traffic signs, allows for temporary road closures or parking prohibitions, prohibits people from obstructing a street or sidewalk and forbids residents from blocking sightlines at intersections.
The entire project should cost $500,000, including $300,000 for sidewalk rehabilitation and pedestrian ramp repairs in school zones and playgrounds, and $200,000 for traffic control, including replacing the 600 signs, completing the transportation master plan (TMP), replacing aging underground conduits and designing a signalized intersection for 2025.
While the 2023-24 school year has just concluded and students are on summer vacation, motorists should be aware that the 2024-25 school year starts on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Therefore, residents should start changing their driving habits through school zones now so they are prepared for next fall.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, July 8.
