Playground and school zones

School zone and playground zone speed limits are 30 km/h during set times. Help keep everyone safe: obey all speed limits and watch for children crossing.

As of September 2018, all school zones in Strathcona County are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days.

Playground zones remain unchanged at 30 km/h and are in effect daily starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending one hour after sunset.

Why 30 km/h?

A pedestrian struck by a car traveling at 50 km/h is eight times more likely to be killed than a pedestrian struck at 30 km/h.

This change reflects the need to drive with care when children are at school. All-day zones reduce driver confusion around effective hours. These changes will also provide reduced speed limits on early dismissal days and for rural schools with earlier start and dismissal times.

Back to school safety

Watch for school safety patrollers and stop as directed.
Watch for kids between parked vehicles and on the sidewalk.
Use caution when approaching intersections or mid-block crosswalks. Parked or stopped vehicles may hide a pedestrian crossing the road.
Do not park within five metres of a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked.

Driving tips around school buses

Alternating flashing yellow or amber lights mean a bus is slowing down to stop. Do the same.
When approaching a school bus with red lights flashing, you must stop! The fine for passing a school bus with its red lights flashing is $567 and six demerit points.
School buses use the flashing red lights and stop signs in rural areas of Strathcona County, including residential estate areas such as Balmoral and Sherwood Park Golf Course.
Always watch for children crossing roads. Prepare to slow down and stop.

School zones

1. What is the difference between a school area and a school zone?
Permanent link to What is the difference between a school area and a school zone?
What is the difference between a school area and a school zone?

A school area is indicated by a green school sign without a black and white speed sign attached to the post. It is a warning to alert drivers that a school is near and to be cautious that children may be close by.

Drive through the area with extra caution, but the speed limit does not change from the previously posted limit.

A school zone has a black and white 30 km/h sign attached below the green school sign. When you pass this sign, you have entered a school zone and must stay within the maximum posted speed during the times the zone is in effect.
2. What are the school zone speeds and times?
Permanent link to What are the school zone speeds and times?
What are the school zone speeds and times?

The school zone speed limit is 30 km/h. School zones are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days.
3. When does a school zone end?
Permanent link to When does a school zone end?
When does a school zone end?

A school zone ends when a traffic sign indicates either a higher speed or the end of the zone.
4. How are school zones created?
Permanent link to How are school zones created?
How are school zones created?

New school zones are created according to guidelines set out by the Transportation Association of Canada and Alberta Transportation.
5. Who decides on the signs for school zones?
Permanent link to Who decides on the signs for school zones?
Who decides on the signs for school zones?

The signs for school zones are established by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada and the Transportation Association of Canada.
6. Who do I contact with enforcement questions?
Permanent link to Who do I contact with enforcement questions?
Who do I contact with enforcement questions?

Questions about enforcement can be directed to Enforcement Services at 780-449-0170 or by visiting RCMP and Enforcement Services at 911 Bison Way, Sherwood Park.

Playground zones

1. What is the difference between a playground area and a playground zone?
Permanent link to What is the difference between a playground area and a playground zone?
What is the difference between a playground area and a playground zone?

A playground area is indicated by a yellow playground sign without a black and white speed sign attached to the post. It is a warning to alert drivers that a playground is nearby and to be cautious that children may be close by. Drive through the area with extra caution, but the speed limit does not change from the previously posted limit.

A playground zone has a black and white 30 km/h sign attached below the yellow sign. When you pass this sign, you have entered a playground zone and must stay within the maximum posted speed during the times the zone is in effect.
2. What are the playground zone speeds and times?
Permanent link to What are the playground zone speeds and times?
What are the playground zone speeds and times?

The playground zone speed limit is 30 km/h. It is in effect starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending one hour after sunset.

Playground zone speeds are established under the Provincial Traffic Safety Act, Section 107. Playground zone times are established under the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, Sections 4, 5, 7 and 8.
3. When does a playground zone end?
Permanent link to When does a playground zone end?
When does a playground zone end?

A playground ends when a traffic sign indicates either a higher speed or the end of the zone.
4. How are playground zones created?
Permanent link to How are playground zones created?
How are playground zones created?

New playground zones are created according to guidelines set out by the Transportation Association of Canada and Alberta Transportation.
5. Who decides on the signs for playground zones?
Permanent link to Who decides on the signs for playground zones?
Who decides on the signs for playground zones?

The signs for playground zones are established by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada and the Transportation Association of Canada.
6. Who do I contact with enforcement questions?
Permanent link to Who do I contact with enforcement questions?
Who do I contact with enforcement questions?

Questions about enforcement can be directed to Enforcement Services at 780-449-0170 or by visiting RCMP and Enforcement Services at 911 Bison Way, Sherwood Park.