While it looked like there was a solution to many parents’ concerns with student safety on the highway near St. Anthony’s School, it appears the process may have hit a speed bump.
The Mail reported in its March 19 edition that the Town of Drumheller, the RCMP, Alberta Transportation, the school and the School Division hammered out a plan hopefully to make the intersection on North Dinosaur Trail near the school safer.
These efforts did not include a reduction on speed, but did include a signage program deeming the space along the highway near St. Anthony’s a “school area.”
The school also offered to do its part by adding parent crossing guards at the stop light after school. This effort, however, is an impossibility.
JoAnne Akerboom, Principal of St. Anthony’s, explains the school went to Alberta Transportation and the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) to enquire about setting up a School Patrol Program, but was told it was, in fact, illegal.
“We are not allowed to have crossing guards because the speed limit is too high,” she said.
She learned that there are a number of factors AMA needs to look at before they could add school patrols at the school. These include a School Zone with a reduced speed limit and a well marked crosswalk with lights.
Under the current set up, it is illegal under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act for parents to use stop signs or direct traffic.
While they are not able to set up a school patrol program, the school is going ahead with an awareness campaign for parents and students to be safer near the roadway. They have material from Alberta Transportation to drive home the message.
The Mail reported in its March 19 edition the signage program is to be rolled out in the near future. Alberta Transportation would revisit and assess the issue before the next school year begins.
