Slow down in school zones, police warn

Police across B.C. are warning they will be cracking down on speeding in schools zones as kids head back to school on this week.

The speed limit in school zones is 30 km/h between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any school day.

Drivers should also keep in mind that excessive speeding in a school zonewhich is defined as going 70 km/h in a 30 km/h zonewill lead to their vehicle being impounded forseven days as per the legislated rules, said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet.

Statistics have shown that during the first week of every school year, an average of two children in British Columbiaare struck and killed by vehicles, Paquet said.

Later onTuesdaya 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital after he was hit in a marked crosswalk used by students at Windsor Secondary School in North Vancouver.

The boy was not seriously injured and the driver remained at the scene to talk with police. The crosswalk is about two blocks from the school on Mount Seymour Parkway, but not in the marked school zone.

In Torontoa 14-year-old girl was struck and killed by a dump truckin a marked crosswalk while walking to school on Tuesday morning.

• Read more about the fatal accident in Toronto

Children are most often hit by cars when they are crossing an intersection, or suddenly running out onto the road, said Paquet.

"Students are also reminded to cross the road defensively and assume that they are not always seen."

"Some students may be new to the area or attending a different school, and parents should take this opportunity to review the rules of the road with their children and go over their daily route to and from school."

Drivers and students are also reminded to put away their electronic gadgets and concentrate on the road when driving or walking across the street, said Paquet.