After consulting and listening to concerns brought forward by Principal Laura-Lee Phillips and other staff from Ecole Isabella Dicken Elementary located on 2^nd Avenue and 13^th Street in Fernie, Elk Valley RCMP members will be spending at least a couple of random days per week patrolling the school zone and occasionally handling crosswalk duties within the school area.

“Concerns were raised about speed through the school zone, which is clearly marked at 30 km/hr and is also supported by a speed sign along 13^th Street.  It has also been reported that impatient drivers will sometimes continue to drive or ride on bikes thru the crosswalk(s), even when a safety vested school official was holding up a stop sign and children were using the walkway. It is only by sheer luck that no child has been injured or worse by these reckless drivers,” reported S/Sgt. Svend Nielsen, Elk Valley RCMP Detachment commander.

RCMP wish to remind all drivers and cyclists using our roadways to monitor their speed, ensure they remember that motor vehicles are required to yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk/in accordance with all traffic lights and that cyclists have the same duties and rights as a driver of a motor vehicle under the BC Motor Vehicle Act.

“This ongoing project will continue into the new school year come September 2023. Other traffic related projects are starting in both Elkford and Sparwood at the request of our stakeholders to ensure a stronger approach to traffic enforcement in our communities,” S/Sgt. Nielsen said.

Traffic complaints continue to be a leading driver over any other complaint made by the public in the Elk Valley area, which is consistent with most if not all detachments, he added.

Anyone with concerns or wishing to report a traffic complaint, please contact Elk Valley RCMP at 250-425-6233.

Lead image: Cpl. Derek Rondeau of Elk Valley RCMP completes some crosswalk duty to ensure the safety of children going to school. Elk Valley RCMP photos

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