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August 31, 2010

Speeding Fines Doubled to Help Ensure Safety in School Zones

With a focus on ensuring the safety of children, fines for speeding in school zones will double effective September 1. The Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Government Services, announced details of a new campaign designed to raise awareness of the fine increases.

"School zones are busy places during peak periods with any number of hazards for children," said Minister O'Brien.  "Parents and school buses are dropping off or picking up children.  Speeding is always dangerous but in school zones, in particular, motorists need to be vigilant and abide by the posted speed limit, helping to reduce the potential of a serious incident."

Fines will now range from a minimum $100 for a first offence up to a maximum of $1,500.  A brochure will be mailed out to all households and print ads have been placed in newspapers across the province starting tomorrow to help raise awareness of these fine increases.

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, says he hopes stiffer fines will curb the speeding in school zones.

"Speeding in school zones is completely unacceptable and we hope these higher fines will reinforce that fact," said Minister King. "We often have young children crossing roads and it is up to motorists to drive cautiously, and to ensure the safety of our students."

Speeding creates the potential for serious injury to children in school zones. Children do not always look both ways before crossing the street or they may dart into the road without realizing the danger of doing so. By speeding, drivers may not be able to react quickly enough in one of these situations. Drivers need to slow down and devote their full attention to what is happening in these busy zones.

"Speeding can be a deadly practice and drivers should be cautious at all times in school zones," said Minister O'Brien. "I remind drivers that You Are in Control, so please slow down."

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Media contacts:

Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Government Services
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca
Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca

2010 08 31                                                      9:50 a.m.


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