These are the stiff penalties for speeding in B.C. school zones

Speeding in a school zone could cost you more than just a ticket as kids return to classrooms across the province this September.

In B.C., the speed limit in school and playground zones drops to 30 km/h on school days between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Ignore that, and you’re looking at fines between $196 and $253, plus three penalty points on your licence.

Go even faster, and things get worse.

Excessive speeding, that’s 40 km/h or more over the limit, comes with fines from $368 to $483, three penalty points, and often a seven-day vehicle impound.

On top of that, ICBC can slap you with a Driver Risk Premium, which means higher insurance bills long after the ticket is paid.

Map of Carnarvon Elementary showing new school slow zone with a 40 km/h speed limit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days. (City of Vancouver)

Vancouver is also expanding its “school slow zones” this fall.

These zones cut speeds near schools to 40 km/h on arterial streets and 30 km/h on collector streets, with new signage rolling out around 15 schools, including Tupper Secondary, Eric Hamber, Emily Carr Elementary, and St. Patrick’s.

In a previous press release, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim noted that September is a time when everyone needs to be extra careful. “Kids are excited to get back to class and see their friends and teachers, and we want to make sure they get to school safely every day,” he said.

The City of Vancouver is also keeping up safety programs like School Streets, which block car traffic beside certain schools during pick-up and drop-off, and the Walking School Bus, where kids walk in supervised groups.

A City of Vancouver Slow Zone sign reminds drivers to ease off the gas near schools this fall. (City of Vancouver/vancouver.ca)

It is worth noting that not every municipality follows the same school zone rules.

New Westminster and Burnaby recently extended their school zone hours to 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on school days, significantly longer than the standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. used in most B.C. communities.

Police across Metro Vancouver say enforcement will be stepped up throughout September.

Police across Metro Vancouver said in the release that they’ll be watching school zones closely this September. ICBC data shows that an average of 380 children are injured every year in B.C. in crashes while walking or cycling.

So, if you’re driving near a school, ease off the gas. It could save you hundreds of dollars, and more importantly, a child’s life.

With files from Amir Ali

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