Motorists, please reduce your speed in school zones and obey all traffic signs. U-turns should only be performed in designated areas!!
Today, nearly three in four children are being driven to school. It’s important for motorists to drive with caution in school zones and for students to learn about road and pedestrian safety. According to a CAA study, parents with young children have reported the top two hazardous driving behaviours that motorists perform in a school zone are speeding and distracted driving. For more information, visit caask.ca/schoolzonesafety.
CAA School Zone Safety Tips for Motorists:
- Remain attentive in school zones. It can become very busy with cars and school busses loading or unloading students.
- Watch for children crossing the streets. Allow them enough time to cross safely as intersections can be covered in ice and snow.
- Be prepared to stop for on duty School Safety Patrollers.
- As rows of cars wait in school pick-up zones, keep in mind that children may dart out between cars.
- Students may also be obscured by exhaust from idling cars and by tall snowbanks.
- Eliminate distractions while driving such as use of mobile devices.
CAA School Zone Safety Tips for Students:
- Before crossing the street: Stop, look both ways and ensure any oncoming vehicles have come to a complete stop.
- Cross at intersections or at corners. Refrain from jay walking.
- Never run out in traffic or between parked cars, buses, or buildings.
- Wait for the signal of the on-duty School Safety Patrollers when crossing the street.
- Keep your head up, look around, be alert and aware of your surroundings.
CAA School Zone Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers:
- Obey the ‘no stopping’ and ‘no parking’ zones in front of schools.
- Ensure winter apparel such as toques and scarves do not obstruct children’s’ vision or hearing.
- Teach children about pedestrian and traffic safety.
- Always have an adult, older student or sibling, walk with younger children.
