September 1, 2022

Victoria, BC – The Greater Victoria School District and the Victoria Police Department are reminding drivers to slow down and exercise caution as students return to school on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. School zones will be in effect across the Greater Victoria region next week from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

To help keep students and families safe, VicPD Speed Watch volunteers will be conducting a back-to-school speed watch blitz across Victoria and Esquimalt. VicPD Speed Watch volunteers will be at schools every school day in September to provide a high-visibility reminder to slow down and exercise caution.

VicPD Speed Watch volunteers will be conducting high-visibility deployments to schools all through September

“Every school day for the month of September, teams of VicPD Speed Watch volunteers wearing reflective vests will be at highly-visible locations near schools reminding drivers that students are heading back to class,” Chief Del Manak said. “Their presence will provide plenty of advance warning to drivers to slow down and look out for students before they get to our officers conducting school zone enforcement.”

“Each year, more families and students choose active ways to travel to and from school. We have more students participating in walking school buses, scootering or cycling, which is great for students’ physical and mental well-being—and an eco-friendly option. However, this means drivers need to be mindful and extra vigilant when sharing the roads with our youth and families,” said Board Chair Ryan Painter. “We want to ensure we have a safe and successful September start-up, so please slow down as students head back to class.”

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