Understanding The Rules And Regulations Of School And Playground Zones

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Playground and school zones are similar but different.

School Zones

School zones are a florescent-yellow green sign in the shape of a house with two people crossing the street with school books under their arms. This sign advises drivers that there’s a school nearby and students may be in the area. If there is no rectangle-shaped 30 km/h regulatory white speed zone tab underneath the sign, you are not required to reduce your speed unless students are present. The speed limit is 50km/h unless otherwise posted and you can keep at this speed unless there are students present on the road.

School zones may also display a rectangle-shaped 30 km/h tab underneath the school zone sign. This speed limit is in effect between 8am and 5pm on school days. They are not in effect when schools are not in session. For example, winter break, summer break, spring break, stat holidays, etc. On approach to this sign with 30km/h posted speed, you must reduce your speed to 30 km/h before entering the school zone, control and maintain your speed through the zone and identify where the zone ends. If your unsure where the zone ends, look for the back of the sign on the opposite side of the road (traffic facing you).

This sign is in effect between 8am and 5pm on school days when children are on the roadway or shoulder. They are usually posted on highways where the regulatory speed limit is 60km/h or higher.

Playground Zones

Playground zones are yellow and in the shape of a diamond with a child chasing after a ball. This sign advises drivers of a playground nearby and there could be children at play. If there is no rectangle-shaped 30 km/h regulatory white speed zone tab underneath the sign, you are not required to reduce your speed unless children are present. The speed limit is 50km/h unless otherwise posted and you can keep at this speed unless there’s a child present on the road.

Playground zones may also display a rectangle-shaped 30 km/h tab underneath the school zone sign. This speed limit is in effect dawn till dusk, every day, 365 days of the year. On approach to the sign with 30km/h posted speed, you must reduce your speed to 30 km/h before entering the school zone, control and maintain your speed through the zone and identify where the zone ends. If your unsure where the zone ends, look for the back of the sign on the opposite side of the road (traffic facing you).

** For road test purposes, make sure your 30km/h before the posted speed and don’t get to 31 in this zone. ICBC has zero tolerance for speeding in playground and school zones, 1 km over the speed limit and you will fail your road test. 28 YOU'RE GREAT AND 31 YOU'RE DONE.