www.countyofnewell.ab.caCopyright © 2014 County of Newell County of Newell@County of Newell

Contact Us:County of Newell P.O. Box 130 Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B2Phone: 403-362-3266 Fax: 1-888-361-7921 Email: administration@newellmail.ca

COUNTY OF NEWELL

All meetings are held in the Council Chambersof the County of Newell Administration Building

located in Brooks, AB at 183037 RR 145unless otherwise noted.

UPCOMING MEETINGSMunicipal Planning Commission/Council

The MPC meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. The Council meeting will begin

immediately after MPC adjourns.

Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, October 23. 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

The Office will be closedon the following days:

Monday, September 1, 2014 - Labor DayMonday, October 13, 2014 - Thanksgiving

Check the County of Newell websitefor last minute meeting changesas well as minutes and agendas

The MPC/Council Meeting scheduled forThursday, August 21, 2014 has been CANCELLED

MondayAugust 11

TuesdayAugust 12

WednesdayAugust 13

ThursdayAugust 14

FridayAugust 15

Tilley Scandia/Rainier Patricia/Duchess Rolling Hills Bassano/Rosemary

MINI BUS SCHEDULE For pick up, please contact Anne Penner or Jenny Toth at 403-363-7890

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Or take the survey over the phone bycalling Ariana at 403-794-2319

A new school year is fast approaching, and with that comes the return of more school buses on the roads.

Drivers play a large role in back to school safety so please help protect our children. Drive with care and expect the unexpected when driving near schools and in neighbourhoods where school buses and school aged children are present.

Parents also play an important role. They need to teach young students to be aware of traffic safety rules. As pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders and school bus passengers, our children need to be traffic smart.

Facts to Know• From 2007 to 2011, on average each year, approximately

250 children under 15 are killed or injured as pedestrians or cyclists.

• Twice a day, everyday, during the school year, over 5,500 school buses in Alberta safely transport over 290,000 children to and from school. School buses in Alberta travel an estimated 450,000 kilometres a day – that’s more than 10 times around the earth.

• Approximately 75% of casualty collisions and more than 90% of property damage collisions involving a school bus occurred in urban areas. The large majority of injuries sustained by school bus occupants were reported as minor; not requiring hospital admittance.

• About 40% of the other drivers involved in collisions with school buses committed a driver error. The most common driver error committed by other drivers was following too closely.

• The maximum speed limit for school buses is different than other vehicles on the highway. School buses, with or without passengers, must not exceed 90 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower.

When are school and playground zones in effect and what is the speed limit? When travelling in school and playground zones, drivers must pay attention to the posted signs.

School zones have a speed limit of 30 km/h in both urban and rural areas. These limits are in effect on school days from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise posted.

The speed for both urban and rural playground zones is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted. These limits are in effect every day from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset. You are not permitted

to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle travelling in the same direction within a playground zone during the hours when it is in effect.

What should I do when approaching a school bus? Motorists need to respect the flashing lights on a school bus, which create a safe area for children around the vehicle and are often the children’s only defense when they get on or off the bus.

Why do school buses have strobe lights?Strobe lights are to be used during conditions of reduced visibility, for example during a blizzard or in fog, to increase the conspicuity of the school bus.

What do flashing amber lights mean? Watch out for alternating flashing amber lights. They mean a school bus is slowing to stop where students will either be getting on or off the bus.

What do alternately flashing red lights mean?Red means stop! The penalty for passing a school bus with its alternating flashing red lights activated is $402.00 and 6 demerit points.

• Slow down and stop when the school bus activates its alternately flashing red lights and stop arm. This means you must stop whether you are approaching an oncoming bus or following one. The only exception to this rule is when the bus is on the opposite side of a highway divided by a median.

• Some municipalities have passed bylaws not requiring school buses to activate their alternating flashing red lights and stop arm when they stop. In this case, motorists do not need to stop but should still be cautious and watch for pedestrians when the buses are loading or unloading students.

• Proceed only when the red lights on the bus have stopped flashing.

• Watch for school buses loading and unloading children, even if the lights aren’t flashing and the stop arm has been retracted.

How can children cross the road safely?Practice the POINT, PAUSE, and PROCEED crossing system: look in all directions before crossing the street; scan for danger left, right, ahead and behind; then point across the road with your hand and arm extended out and proceed when you can safely do so.

In rural areas, all bus drivers must activate the front school bus crossing arm and direct students to cross the highway in front of the crossing arm. This prevents children from occupying the blind spot directly in front of the bus and allows the bus driver to see the children.

What can I teach my children about getting to the school bus stop safely? • Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk on the

left side of the street facing traffic, staying as far away from the vehicles as possible.

• Watch for turning vehicles.• Make eye contact with the driver to ensure the driver can

see the child.• Cross only at pedestrian crosswalks or at corners.• Recognize pedestrian crossing signals.• Be at the bus stop at least five minutes before the school

bus arrives. Never run after the school bus to try to catch up.

• Wait for the bus at a safe place at least 10 giant steps away from the road. Have younger children practice the steps to become familiar with this rule and pick a designated spot.

by Sheri Christensen, Corporate Safety Services Supervisor

Beginning in mid August, the County will be advertising

the sale of several properties owned by the County

that have been deemed surplus.

These properties will be sold through a formal tender process that will close on

September 12, 2014.

Watch for the published list that will appear in local printed media and posted on the

County of Newell Websitewww.countyofnewell.ab.ca

Government of Alberta – Transportation http://www.saferoads.com/Alberta Health Services http://www.albertaheealthservices.ca

Did you know?• Young children can’t see out of the corners

of their eyes as well as adults.• It is often difficult for children to determine

the direction that sounds are coming from.• Children lack a sense of vulnerability.• Children have trouble judging how fast a

vehicle is coming towards them or how far away it is.

• Children can easily be distracted and impulsive.

• Children think that if they can see the driver, the drive can see them.

• Children’s small stature means that they may not see hazards and drivers may not see them.