B.C. students head back to school, drivers warned to slow down
Hundreds of thousands of students across British Columbia are heading back to school Tuesday.
It’s expected to be a busy day on the roads and police are reminding drivers to slow down.
Thirty kilometre per hour speed limits around schools are in effect once again.
Police agencies across the province say they'll have extra officers on patrol making sure drivers remember to pump their brakes.
“We have discretion and we will enforce the Motor Vehicle Act as it relates to school zones and playground zones and speed limits,” said Sgt. Steve Addison of the Vancouver Police Department.
That means drivers could be given a warning or a fine.
“We don't necessarily want to be out there writing tickets, so we're encouraging people to plan ahead, slow down and give yourself lots of time,” said Addison.
The fine for those caught going too fast can range from $196 to $253.
Officers were out front of Delview Secondary Tuesday keeping a close eye on drivers.
“Really pay attention, lots of distractions, lots of kids flitting around and running around being excited. So be careful. Second thing: distracted driving. Make sure that you pay attention to distracted driving, it's not the time to be checking your phone for texts and phone calls,” said Chief Neil Dubord, of the Delta Police Department.
TransLink is also expecting to see an uptick in trips across its system and is increasing service in response.
"Routes that serve post-secondary schools are also being adjusted to ensure their schedules match the times that students most often travel to and from class," wrote the company in a statement.
WILDFIRE IMPACT
Back to school may look a little different for students in the Central Okanagan, Shuswap, and the South Chilcotin regions due to wildfires.
Several schools remained closed Tuesday as the threat to communities continues.
“I know they are also coming up with some ways some hybrid options, making that available to the students so that the students don't lose out that important time learning time,” Educatino Minister Rachna Singh said.
One school in the Shuswap and one in Gold Bridge are located in areas currently under wildfire evacuation orders.
The Ministry of Education said the Shuswap students will be able to attend another nearby school beginning next Monday and the students in Gold Bridge will be supported through online learning.
Central Okanagan Public Schools says it's ready to welcome students back on Tuesday and is grateful to first responders who have saved the community.
“We are aware that some families remain on evacuation order and some families have experienced the loss of their homes. We encourage you to contact your school principal if you need supports from the school. We will work to do what we can,” wrote Kevin Kaardal, superintendent and CEO of Central Okanagan Public Schools, in a letter to parents.
Several schools in West Kelowna are on alert as wildfires continue to burn in the region.
“As always, our staff will use trauma-informed practices to ensure that children affected by the crisis will have the support they need,” wrote Kaardal.
NEW COVID VARIANT
Disruptive pandemic measures are not expected to come back into effect this school year, despite the BC Centre for Disease Control recently detecting Canada's first known case of new COVID-19 variant BA.2.86.
Local doctors have said there’s no need to panic and parents do not need to make big changes.
A new COVID vaccine is expected to be released soon.
This year’s respiratory illness season is not expected to be as bad as last year, but doctors urge everyone to still get a flu shot.
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Ben Miljure
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.