Watch for children, and signs, when driving in playground zones

A playground zone in British Columbia is marked with a yellow diamond advisory sign.

This tells drivers they may find children present on the road and they should use caution to avoid a collision. These signs are in effect from sunrise to sunset every day, year around.

Section 147 (2) of the Motor Vehicle Act says, “A person driving a vehicle on a highway must drive the vehicle at a rate of speed not exceeding 30 kilometre per hour when approaching or passing, between dawn and dusk, a public playground for children where signs are displayed stating a speed limit of 30 km/h, or on which the numerals "30" are prominently shown.”

The penalty for speeding in a playground zone varies according to how much the speed limit was exceeded by. Fines start at $196 and could reach as much as $483 and include a vehicle impound. Drivers also receive three penalty points on conviction.

The yellow diamond sign alone is a warning a driver needs to take into account depending on the road conditions. A slower speed than the posted limit when approaching the zone may also be required if vulnerable road users are present.

If a black-on-white 30 km/h tab is added below the yellow diamond, the combination of signs is now a legal requirement to drive no faster than that speed inside the playground zone.

When used below the playground area warning sign, the tab establishes a 30 km/h zone from dawn to dusk daily.

Like a school zone, the end of a playground zone is marked by the back of the sign on the opposite side of the road.

Rules for playground zones may vary outside the province. Differences could include:

• A maximum speed lower than 30 km/h

• Different times of operation

• No passing restrictions

(Editor's note: Penticton has changed it's rules about driving in playground areas, where the speed limit is now 30 km/h 24 hours a day.)

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.