Winnipeg school zone speed limits dip to 30km/h today

Winnipeg police will be out in full force as kids go back to school this week, enforcing new speed limits in school zones.

Were certainly going to be monitoring these areas very, very carefully, said Const. Jason Michalyshen. It is going to take some time Were optimistic that everybody will comply very quickly.

• Winnipeg school zone speed limit vote passes
• Winnipeg school zone speed limits reduced to 30 km/h

On Sept. 1, the speed limit around 171 Winnipeg schools was reduced to 30 kilometres per hour.

The new limit is in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and will remain in effect until June.

[Young children] can be sometimes pretty unpredictable pedestrians, and we want these areas to be even more safe, he said. Were hoping that members of the public take note and reduce those speeds.

Michalyshen said they expect some people to adopt the new speeds right away, but they know it will take longer for others.

Right now, we understand its something new. Kids are back in school, he said. I cant speak for every member within the service Theres going to be certain situations that dictate a conversation.

Michalyshen said not every car who gets pulled over is going to get a ticket, and its at the discretion of the officer to decide whats best.

Its about changing behaviours in the most effective way possible, he said.

Fines start at $181.50 for going 10 km/h over the posted speed limit. Drivers who are caught at 20 km/hr over the limit in other words, driving at50 km/h in a school zone face a $312.25 fine.

A full list of fines can be found in the "Speeding Table" section ofManitoba Justice's Brown Book, starting at Page 2-22.