CAA Manitoba says school zone signage unfair to drivers

CAA Manitoba is calling for better visibility in school zones so drivers are moreaware ofthe rules and regulations.

Legislation regulating speed limitsin school zoneschanged in 2014which means municipalities are able to create themon their own terms.

That meansspeed limitsvaryand CAA says this discrepancy can be confusing for drivers.

• 120 new reduced-speed school zones coming to Winnipeg in 2015
• School zone speed limit signs in wrong spots, Winnipeg police say

"We want to make it fairer for motorists," says Mike Mager, president and CEO at CAA. "Even adding flashing amber lights to the signs could make them more prominent, meaning more people slowing down and in turn, ensuring the safety of our kids."

• Manitoba allows lower school zone speeds
• CAA, Winnipeg police see 1,531 risky driving incidents in school zones

Mager said the cityhas seen a $14-millionwindfall in ticket revenue this year, thanks in part to tickets handed out in school zones.

He would like to see revenue from speeders in school zones contribute to road safety improvement around schools, like additional lights. However, hesaidwhen he misses a sign his biggest concern isn't a ticket.

"My bigger care is that I'm speeding in a school zone and I might hurt somebody," he said.

Stu Reid likes the idea of flashing lights in school zones. He says it would help makespeed changes more noticeable.

"Me and my wife are driving around a lot and most of the time we have no idea what the speed limit isif something isn't jumping out at you," he said.

Christy Hemmerling'schildren go to GrosvenorSchool in Crescentwood, and she likes the idea of lowering residential speed limits.

"Motorists go quickly on my street, which is a residential street, and I have lots of kids, so to see the speed limit dropped, I would welcome that," she said.

JaniceLukes,head of Winnipeg's Infrastructure and Public Works Committee,said the city needs to study different methodsbefore itcan change anything.

Lukesdoesn't think flashing lights are the solutionbecause there are already too many lights and other distractions for drivers. She saidspeed bumps couldbe the answer because drivers are forced to slow down.

In Ontario and Quebec, flashing lights in many municipalities are added just before the start of a school zone to alert drivers that there is a reduced speed zone ahead.