Flying Dust First Nation is purchasing digital radar signs to encourage motorists to drive slower near Kopahawakenum Elementary School. (File photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

School Zone Safety

Flying Dust First Nation investing in school zone safety

Jan 10, 2022 | 3:18 PM

Officials in Flying Dust First Nation are implementing new measures to promote safe driving near Kopahawakenum Elementary School.

Earlier this month, the Government of Saskatchewan awarded nearly $7,300 to the community as part of a broader $1.18-million investment into traffic safety initiatives across the province.

As a result, community leadership is using that money to purchase digital radar signs that will alert drivers to their speed while travelling in the area.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, Jessica Gardiner, SGI Traffic Safety Liaison with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, said there were growing concerns for the safety of students in the area which led to the application for this program.

“They would like to have motorists slow down when they’re going by there because kids walk and whatnot around that area,” she said.

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“They want to get that taken care of before there’s any accidents or incidents.”

According to staff at Kopahawakenum School, drivers are often speeding through the area, posing a risk to the safety of motorists and children who commute to school and home on foot.

Principal Cheryl Derocher explained there currently aren’t any significant traffic safety measures around the school, so the implementation of a new precaution is a welcomed development.

“We haven’t really had anything in place since the school opened, so the fact that we are taking some extra steps to ensure the safety of everyone in the community will help a great deal,” Derocher said.

She added there is a large portion of the student population coming to school by walking or using pedal bikes, which makes this issue all that much more important. She hopes the new measure will resonate with drivers and encourage them to drive slowly through the school zone.

“The biggest concern is the speeding. Especially now with the road being paved.”

The new signs are expected to be installed within the designated school zone at some point in the spring or summer when the ground has thawed.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp