Last year, Saskatchewan RCMP officers issued 1200 tickets in school zones and around school buses- 849 of which were issued for speeding.

That’s from Inspector Lee Knelsen. As kids get back to the classroom, he’s giving motorists and parents some tips for ensuring everyone stays safe.

says drivers need to reduce their speed, obey the crossing guards, watch for cyclists, avoid making U-turns in the school zone, and stop for school buses.

“Every time that those red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, we want those drivers to stop, and make sure that they stop until the lights are off and the arm’s back in.”

For parents, Knelsen recommends they let their kids off away from traffic, utilize designation drop of zones, stop their engine in the winter, so the exhaust doesn’t impede anyone’s vision, and talk to their kids about traffic safety.

“Discuss some of those tips with them, and some of the expectations of what they should do within those school zones to make sure they’re safe and everybody else is safe.”

He reminds drivers that school zones are in effect between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. seven days a week, all year round, with a max speed of 30 kilometres per hour.