Public reminded by police to take caution when parking near school

By Medicine Hat News on March 10, 2021.

Medicine Hat News

Medicine Hat Police Service is reminding the public to take care when parking near local schools.

After receiving numerous concerns regarding parking infractions at or near several elementary and middle schools in Medicine Hat – often for parking near or blocking crosswalks, blocking driveways or parking near fire hydrants or other areas where signs prohibit.

“The safety of school children and volunteer crosswalk patrollers is our primary focus,” reads a Tuesday release from MHPS. “Lets work together to make our city roads safer for everyone.”

Schools have sent out notices to parents and caregivers, and MHPS has increased patrols in school zones and assigned parking monitors to enforce parking laws in the areas.

In a Tuesday release, MHPS outlined a number of parking laws that will be enforced from the Traffic Safety Act and Medicine Hat Municipal Bylaws. These include parking on sidewalks, crosswalks or boulevards, nearer than five metres of an intersection, within five metres of a crosswalk or stop sign, within 1.5 metres from access to a driveway or garage, at any place where a traffic control device prohibits stopping or parking, or failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Fines begin at $50 for bylaw offences and can be up to $850 for Traffic Safety Act offences.