Too many excuses for speeding in school zones: Police

While there were no injuries when police ramped up enforcement in school zones Sept. 3-5, officers did hand out 191 speeding tickets and two tickets for failing to stop for a school bus, said Greater Sudbury Police Service.

The three-day blitz wrapped up Sept. 5. It was conducted to ensure a safe first week back to school.

In one instance, an officer stopped a vehicle travelling 136 kilometres per hour in a posted 80-km/h zone on Municipal Road 35 in Azilda. The driver's excuse was he was late for work, said Greater Sudbury Police Service. His licence was suspended for a week and his vehicle was impounded.

“Officers received many excuses for speeding, such as the driver forgot school was back in session. Therefore, officers will continue to make road safety in school zones a priority throughout the remainder of the school year,” said a news release from the police service.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limits set in and around schools do not change when school is dismissed for the day. Speed limits are in effect 24 hours a day, during evenings and on weekends and holidays.

Enforcement results in and around school zones from September 3-5 and over the weekend include:

Speeding – 191
Fail to stop for a school bus – 2
Distracted driving – 18
Other Provincial Offences – 26
Stunt driving – 1
Suspended driver – 1