Drivers urged to slow down as school returns

School-zone speed limits will be back in effect Tuesday as students across the Crowsnest Pass return to class for the 2026-27 school year.

Classes begin Sept. 1 at Horace Allen School, Isabelle Sellon School, Crowsnest Consolidated High School and École des Grands-Vents.

With school buses returning to their routes and more children walking or cycling, the province is reminding drivers to slow down and watch for students who may be distracted or move unpredictably.

Alberta school zones have a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour unless signs indicate otherwise.

The province’s standard school-zone hours are from 8 to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m. on school days. Municipalities can establish different hours, which must be posted on signs.

Drivers are not permitted to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle travelling in the same direction while a school zone is in effect.

Playground zones operate under different hours. The 30 km/h playground-zone limit is in effect every day from 8:30 a.m. until one hour after sunset unless otherwise posted.

Drivers should also be prepared for buses making frequent stops throughout the community.

Alternating amber lights mean a school bus is slowing down and preparing to stop. Once its red lights begin flashing, motorists approaching from either direction must stop.

The only exception is when the bus is on the opposite side of a highway physically divided by a median.

Vehicles must remain stopped until the red lights are no longer flashing. Drivers should continue watching for children before proceeding because students may cross in front of or behind the bus.

Failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights carries a $567 fine and six demerit points.

The province says about 90 per cent of collisions involving school buses occur in urban areas.

Drivers are being asked to put away phones and other distractions, monitor crosswalks and scan between parked vehicles for children. Headlights should be used during dark or low-light conditions to make vehicles easier to see.

Extra care is also required around school parking lots and drop-off areas, where buses, vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists can converge within a small space.

Parents and guardians can help by reviewing road-safety rules with children, including crossing at marked crosswalks, waiting until vehicles have stopped and making eye contact with drivers before entering the road.

Children walking along a road without a sidewalk should travel on the left side, facing approaching traffic. Students should arrive at their bus stop at least five minutes early and avoid using phones or other distracting devices while walking.

School-zone restrictions end when drivers pass a sign displaying a higher speed limit or marking the end of the zone. A school sign without an attached speed-limit sign identifies a school area rather than a reduced-speed zone, but drivers are still expected to proceed cautiously.