All school zones in Lethbridge have been converted to year-round playground zones, with a 30 km/h limit in effect from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., effective as of September 5, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Year-round playground zones take effect in Lethbridge September 5, 2023

Sep 1, 2023 | 1:41 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – September 5, 2023 marks the first day of classes for many, and the first day of the City of Lethbridge’s new harmonized school and playground zones.

All school zones in Lethbridge have been converted to year-round playground zones, with a 30 km/h limit in effect from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and the change takes effect next Tuesday.

The project came to be from recommendations highlighted in the 2021 Transportation Safety Plan, aimed at increasing safety for children during and after school hours.

Sgt. Danny Lomness with the Lethbridge Police Service’s (LPS) Traffic Response Unit said, “We just want to make sure [motorists] are paying attention, taking their time and planning ahead.

He added, “A lot of the students aren’t back into those routines of being aware of the vehicle traffic and their surroundings.”

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The LPS says the change is backed by research that shows harmonized zones reduce pedestrian collisions by 33 per cent overall and 70 per cent between 5:30 and 9 p.m.

Lomness offered advice for returning students in order to stay safe, “Use your sidewalks where there are, use crosswalks or marked crosswalks, don’t jaywalk. If you are crossing the road, make sure you make eye contact with the motorist so they see you.”

Motorists are also reminded not to park on, or obstruct a crosswalk, and not to double park, or park in alleys during student drop-off or pick-up.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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