School zone speed limit signs in wrong spots, Winnipeg police say

Winnipeg police say they will issue only warnings in some school zones, rather than speeding tickets, because it claims thatsigns regarding new speed limits there were put in incorrect locations.

The Winnipeg Police Service says the placement of the speed limit signs means drivers don't have the required distance to slow down.

The City of Winnipeg disagrees, saying its school zone speed limit signs meet provincial regulations and city policy.

Some signs had to be placed in a different spot because of underground infrastructure, but the city believes the signs do meet the regulations, a spokesperson told CBC News.

City officials haven't quite finished the paperwork required under provincial regulations to include the school zones in the city's bylaws.

"The provincial regulation requires that municipalities include dimensional information in their bylaws to document the installed location of each sign," the spokesperson stated in an email.

"The City is in the process of finalizing the documentation of the locations for inclusion in the City's bylaw. We anticipate submission of a report to council for this month's meeting."

Police say traffic tickets will be issued only in cases of excessive speed until all the city's paperwork is completed.

"Since the start of September the WPS has issued tickets to drivers speeding in the school zone speed reduction areas, however those tickets that were issued were in areas not affected by the incorrect signage," a police service spokesperson said in an email.

"In the areas with the incorrect signage officers will be utilize their discretion to educate drivers by providing warnings and ticketing only when the speeds are excessive."