Speeders beware. One Ottawa Catholic School Board trustee is on a mission to see fines doubled for those putting the pedal to the metal near elementary schools.

Orléans-Cumberland Catholic trustee Stephen Blais’ motion is asking the City of Ottawa to implement community safety zones in a one-kilometre radius of all elementary schools.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, municipal councils are given the power to “designate a part of a highway under its jurisdiction as a community safety zone if, in the council’s opinion, public safety is of special concern on that part of the highway.”

Applicable fines for traffic violations in community safety zones are doubled.

The motion is scheduled to be debated and voted on at the Tuesday, April 14 meeting of the Catholic School Board.

The call to implement safety zones stems from a number of concerns Blais has received from parents, especially those at Convent Glen Catholic Elementary School who see drivers speeding down Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard and Fortune Drive.

“The last few years I’ve been receiving complaints,” Blais said, noting he’s also heard about speeding along Gardenway, where he’s been trying to get the city to station a crossing guard.

As the weather warms, he added, more children are walking.

“Motorists speeding in school zones are endangering the lives of children who walk to and from school every day,” Blais said. “I want to ensure students and parents are safe.”

Orléans Coun. Bob Monette, who has spoken with Blais and concerned parents, indicated he supports community safety zones in principle, but has to look at the details of the proposal.

“I’m 100 per cent in favour of larger fines,” he said, adding the safety of children should come first. “One accident is one too many.”

Monette suggested the city should use as many tools as it can to promote safety. Signs, he continued, could be one deterrent, pointing to highway signs that list fines based on speeds.

“Education is also an aspect,” he said.

While important, enforcement is difficult because police can’t be at every school, he indicated, although he noted doubled fines in construction zones seems to work.

“It’s a combination of enforcement, education, and probably higher fines,” Monette said.

Blais indicated he doesn’t believe doubled fines are a complete deterrent, agreeing education and enforcement are part of the equation.

“By doubling the normal fine, along with aggressive enforcement, I hope to send a message to speeders that they are not wanted in our community,” he said, adding Convent Glen’s parent council is starting an education campaign on the dangers of speeding, especially in school zones.

Meanwhile, Blais has also written to the Ministry of Transportation asking that the Highway Traffic Act be changed so speeders in safety zones or school zones face a license suspension much like those caught under the new street racing rules.

If the motion passes at Tuesday’s school board meeting, Monette indicated he would pass it on to the city’s community and protective services committee and ask staff to review the request.