Students headed back to class this week, and police are driving home the message for motorists to go slow and be alert in school zones.

School zone speed limits are back in effect at the posted 30 km/h between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Some neighbourhoods have introduced additional speed restrictions or extended school zone hours, so it is always important to check posted signage.

Vancouver police have been pulling drivers over in school zones, writing tickets, and issuing warnings. Speeding fines in school zones vary between $196 and $253.

“We’re asking for phones to be put away, especially during this busy week where we’re seeing an increase in traffic congestion as people are adjusting to this new change and this new schedule,” said Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Cst. Darren Wong.

According to ICBC data, minors are more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash during the morning and afternoon school commutes than any other time of day.

“Throughout the year, we see on average, 80 people lose their lives to distracted driving in fatal collisions,” said Harvey Kooner, road safety and community coordinator for ICBC.

“Distracted driving is the second leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C.”

The risk is even greater in September, when crashes involving minors are 37 per cent higher than the monthly average.

As the school year gets underway, parents are encouraged to talk to their kids about road safety, making sure they know to use marked crosswalks and make eye contact with motorists before entering the street.

“For parents, you always want to let your child out closest to the sidewalk so that they can get off safely versus getting off on the road,” Kooner said.

“Also, for children and for guardians that are walking, you want to look both ways as you cross the street. Give it another look to make sure that you’re being safe.”

Getting to and from school safely is top priority, and road safety initiatives like this one will continue at schools across the city over the next month