Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/590742
WE ASKED EXPERTS WHO DEAL WITH DRIVERS ON A DAILY BASIS TO IDENTIFY THE MOST COMMON DRIVER ERRORS, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO AVOID BEING A PART OF THE PROBLEM 36 W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A | W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 darren jacknisky MOHAMMAD HABIB SPENT many mornings and afternoons last year patrolling the crosswalks of Edmonton's Fraser School. He's now in Grade 7, but his experience on the corner as an AMA School Safety Patroller has made him a strong advocate for safe driving, particularly in school zones. His advice for drivers is simple: "Have a little respect for the kid with the vest and stop sign." He and the 16,000 school safety patrollers across Alberta have some tips for motorists. Slow down It's not complicated driving through school zones. The speed limit is 30km/h, no faster than that. "I remember trying to cross once and someone was coming at us doing 50 or 60. When we put out our signs, they didn't stop, so we had to hold back the kids. It can get pretty frustrating," says Habib. If you don't know where the school zones are located, the AMA Road Reporter App points out and alerts you to elementary school zones on your route. Be patient Small children are not the fastest pedestrians, nor does it matter to them that you're late for work, says Habib. Many are walking to school for the first time on their own and just learning to pay attention while crossing alone. "Little kindergarteners can be hard to see, and they take a while to cross." TALES FROM THE CURBSIDE SLOW IT DOWN A SCHOOL PATROLLER SEES A LOT AT AN EARLY AGE, AND FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN A DRIVER. HERE'S THE VIEW FROM BEHIND THE STOP SIGN By Kevin Brooker IF ANY OF Mohammad's tips were a surprise to you, it may be time to brush up on your driving knowledge. We've revamped our driving trivia phone app, the AMA Learner's Licence Practice Exam App. Now you can receive instant answers to questions, challenge Facebook friends and link directly to the Alberta Driver's Handbook and other driving resources. Download it from the Apple Store and Google Play. DOWNLOAD OUR APP