Skip to content

‘Think of Me,’ say Grade 5 students at James Kennedy

Police, students join forces to urge safe driving in school zones
12887langleyThinkofMedriving
James Kennedy Elementary Grade 5 student Isabelle Sehdev hands a “Think of Me” card to a motorist who was pulled over by police. The safe-driving campaign launched from the busy Walnut Grove school on Tuesday.

As hundreds of children spilled out of James Kennedy Elementary last Tuesday afternoon, several Grade 5 students were busy helping Langley RCMP officers pull over potential speeders.

The students gave the drivers a hand-made card titled: “Think of Me. Please, slow down.” On those cards are personal notes written by the students about how speeding could hurt them.

“I don’t feel safe when I cross the road to go to school and the high schoolers and other people don’t stop and go speeding past,” wrote Grade 5 student Isabelle Sehdev. “I and other people get hurt.”

This new anti-speeding campaign aimed at school zones was launched at James Kennedy, Willoughby and Belmont Elementary schools.

“So many drivers forget that school zone speeds are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We find that when school is in session, drivers speed through. But in reality, children could be running out for a field trip or going to a doctor’s appointment,” said Langley RCMP community liaison officer Const. Wally Lee.

He had pulled over four vehicles in the morning and a few more during the afternoon.

Drivers weren’t ticketed but rather handed the Think of Me cards from the students.

Police believe the sentiment will resonate with drivers much more when they put a face to the dangers of speeding.

Langley MLA Mary Polak, minister of transportation, was out to support the initiative.

“As drivers, it is our responsibility to watch out for children, not the reverse,” said Polak. “I think this campaign is a great way to build awareness.”

The campaign is sponsored by ICBC, RCMP and the school district.



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
Read more