Motorists Asked to Exercise Caution as Yukon Students Return to School

Wednesday, 21 August 2019 12:15

Whitehorse students return to school today (Photo courtesy of Yukon Communities)

Yukoners are being asked to exercise cautions as many students return to school this week in the territory.

Yukoners are reminded to pay attention on the roads today as school gets back in session in many Yukon communities.

Yukon Government communications spokesperson Brittany Cross says motorists should give themselves ample amount of time to get to their final destination with the increased amount of traffic on the road.

"There is going to be a lot more drivers on the road. We really recommend that people leave earlier than normal so that drivers can safely accommodate school bus stops, children crossing the road and the school zones that are now in effect. School zones are in effect any day that school is in session from 8:30am-4:30pm. In Whitehorse, school zones come into effect starting today. Exceptions to that include any statutory holidays, Christmas, spring and summer breaks."

For the 2019-2020 school year, there are 41 school bus routes in Whitehorse taking students to and from school each day. 1850 students are currently registered to take the school bus around Whitehorse for the beginning of this school year.

Cross says it's best to go slower rather than faster it you're unsure of what the posted speed limit is going through school zones.

"Referring back to holidays, one thing I was mentioning was professional development (PD) days. Those days are a little different.Technically school zones are not in effect for individual schools on PD days. Since every school sets their own PD days, they often don't align from school-to-school. If you're unsure, it's best to assume that the school zone is in effect."

Cross says it's also to be mindful and considerate of school buses as they begin operating again on Yukon roads.

"Some other safety reminders are to not pass a school bus when their red lights are flashing. No matter which direction you are traveling, vehicles going both directions must stop for the school bus. There is one exception to this rule, which is when you're traveling the opposite direction of a school bus on a road that is divided by a concrete meridian or ditch. An example would be on Lewes Boulevard by F.H. Collins and Selkirk Elementary School."

Other changes around Whitehorse schools this year include the addition of a bus in Riverdale to accommodate more students during morning traffic and a new bus dropoff area around FH Collins School.