By Constable Rey Olazo

Isang mainit na pagbati sa lahat ng mga mambabasa ng Pilipino Express lalo na sa mga kababayan na sumusubaybay sa aking column. In this edition of your Pulis Kababayan, I would like to discuss a recent amendment to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) that was enacted in September 2013 and will take effect come opening of the school year 2014. Ninais ko na bigyan ito ng atensyon sapagkat ito ay bagong batas at marami sa atin na maaring nahirati na sa speed ng mga daan na kahanay ng mga eskuwelahan na malimit nating daanan na maaring magdulot ng confusion at di sinasadyang paglabag na magdudulot ng fine at driver’s license demerits.

What is RSSZ?

The RSSZ is a roadway zone around a school (Grade K-12) identified/established by the City of Winnipeg (or other municipality in Manitoba) that set out a lower maximum speed than the regular posted maximum speed. Ang layunin ng nasabing ammendment sa HTA ay upang mapangalagaan ang kaligtasan ng mga estudyante habang sila ay naglalakad papasok at papauwi mula sa paaralan o habang sila ay nasa immediate vicinity ng school.

Which roadway is included in the RSSZ?

The RSSZ covers roadways that are adjoining school property, which includes school yards/playgrounds and school recreational facilities. Ang RSSZ ay nakatalaga sa loob ng 150 meters magbuhat sa property boundaries ng isang eskuwelahan. Itong 150 meters na ito ay bago dumating at makalagpas sa eskuwelahan.

How will I know if I am in a designated RSSZ?

The RSSZ prescribes specific signs that must be erected at the approach of a reduced-speed school zone, at the beginning and end of the zone, and at each intersecting roadway. If the speed reduction is not in effect at all times (certain hours and months only), then signs are required to let drivers know when to slow down. A sign stating the by-law number authorizing the speed reduction is also required (excerpt from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation Guidelines for Establishing Reduced-Speed School Zones). Ang paglabag sa RSSZ ay hindi by-law violation kundi isang offence against the HTA. Sa kasalukuyan ay mayroon na tayong makikitang mga signage na nakalagay sa mga designated RSSZ.

What is the maximum speed in a designated RSSZ?

Sa nasabing amendment, ang isang road way na mayroong posted limit na hindi bibilis sa 80KPH ay magkakaroon ng bagong maximum speed limit na hindi baba sa 30KPH at yung mga kalye nacmayroong posted speed limit na 80KPH pataas ay magkakaroon ng bagong posted speed limit na hindi babasa 50KPH. The maximum speed(s) must be reduced in increments of 10 km/h per specifications set out in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (MUTCD). Isang halimbawa ay ang kahabaan ng Salter Avenue within St. John School zone, ito ay dating mayroong speed limit na 50KPH ngunit dahil sa RSSZ ito ay magiging 40KPH na lang. Mayroong mga eskuwelahan na nakatalaga sa mga main thoroughfares na maaring magdulot ng confusion with regards to the allowed speed, ang pinakamabuti ay maging mapagmatyag tayo sa mga signage upang alam natin kung hangang gaano kabilis lang tayo maaring magpatakbo ng ating sasakyan.

Who enforces the speed limit in the RSSZ?

The RCMP and City/Municipal Police Service in Manitoba are responsible in speed enforcement within their jurisdiction. In the City of Winnipeg, the Photo Enforcement may be use in the speed enforcement within RSSZ.

What will be the penalty for the violation of the designated speed within the RSSZ?

Violating this amendment of the HTA will be tantamount to fines prescribed for regular speeding offence plus two demerits on the licence considering the offence is a moving violation.

For information concerning the Reduce-Speed School Zones, our Kababayan can visit (https://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/pdf/guide_reduced_speed_school_zones.pdf) for specific details.

Hangang sa muli mga kababayan, pagpalain nawa tayo ng Diyos.

Constable Rey Olazo is a member of the Central Traffic Unit of the Winnipeg Police Service. He can be contacted by e-mail at rolazo@winnipeg.ca. For urgent matters that require Police response please call 911 and for non-emergency you may call (204) 986-6222.