To the gentleman with whom I had the pleasure of sharing an exchange on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at lunchtime outside Bertha Kennedy School:
When I saw your vehicle driving through the school zone at a noticeably higher speed than the posted speed limit, it was my first instinct to draw your attention to your mistake. I, too, have caught myself going too fast in a school zone in the past, and appreciate any and all reminders to obey and respect school zone speed limits – which to remind you is 30 kilometres per hour, sir.
It was startling to receive such an aggressive response from you when I made a hand motion for you to slow down in the school zone. Your need to inform me that you knew exactly what speed you were doing and then to criticize not only me, but all the other mothers – and you were very clear that was just the moms in the wrong – on the street about how we were posing a risk to ourselves and children by entering our vehicles on the street side of the car (as opposed to the sidewalk side) was honestly disgraceful.
With all due respect, sir, the purpose of school zones is to promote safety for kids and adults alike when conducting school drop-off and pick-up each and every day. Your duty as a driver is to ensure you do not pose a risk to our kids. Period. Speeding away from our exchange showed you don't have respect for our community, family safety and, frankly, our kids.
Sir, if abiding by a school zone speed limit is too much to ask, it's time to find a new route and stay clear of all school zones.
Joclyn Gosselin, St. Albert
