With students back in the classroom, SGI is encouraging safe practices around the province's school zones.

Things started well in Estevan, as the Estevan Police Service said they were monitoring school zones on the first day of classes and didn't have to give any tickets out.

Over 24,000 tickets were given out for speeding in school zones across Saskatchewan last year, according to SGI. Those are the most common type of ticket in school zones. Going 20 km/h over the limit carries a $310 fine and three demerit points.

Drivers that don't obey school bus safety lights can be hit with a $360 fine and four demerit points. A $230 ticket comes with drivers not following a crossing guard's instructions. And distracted driving tickets carry a first-offence hit of $580 with four demerit points.

And with so much on people's minds, from COVID-19 to the economy, SGI's manager of media relations, Tyler McMurchy, said it's even more important to remind the public to be vigilant in school zones.

"It's been a really eventful year, let's just put it that way, and not always in a good way. I don't think anybody wants to add to that by being responsible for a collision in which a school kid gets injured."

McMurchy said keeping kids safe is a top priority, whether it's inside the classroom out on the streets.

"For motorists, they need to keep in mind that those school zones are going to be very busy places with kids heading back to class and a lot of extra, perhaps, vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic as some parents will opt to have their children walk, ride a bike, or be given a ride in a car to school rather than getting on a bus. We expect school zones to be really busy, and it's really important for anybody who's driving in or around them to take care."

There will be times when kids might dart out onto the road after a football or forget to look before crossing the street. McMurchy said it's crucial for motorists to bear this in mind.

"It's important for drivers to understand that not only are the penalties for exceeding speeds in school zones tougher than regular speeding tickets, it's even more important as a collision-prevention mechanism, and when you slow down it gives you as a driver more time to react in case something unexpected happens. And that can happen in school zones. They're filled with kids. Sometimes kids don't cross the street when they're supposed to. They might be jaywalking, they might be excited. So it's really important for drivers to really be able to react and avoid those collisions. And when you're travelling slower, if a collision does happen, it's less severe."

Below is a graphic created by SGI for tips for driving safely in school zones.