Canada’s roads undergo a noticeable transformation every September, when children go back to school and summer traffic patterns are replaced by crowded school zones in which parents are dropping off their kids, buses are making frequent stops, crossing guards are directing people at busy intersections and thousands of schoolchildren are walking or cycling to school.
This makes the fall a challenging time of the year for motorists, demanding a renewed focus, since even brief moments of inattention, such as glancing at a mobile phone or speeding through school zones, can have catastrophic consequences.
Children’s behaviour can be unpredictable. They’re often preoccupied or socializing with friends while crossing the road. They might suddenly step off the curb or dart across the road between parked vehicles, appearing directly in a driver’s path. “School zones should be safe places for students,” says Saint John Police Force (SJPF) acting chief Neal Fowler. “While safety is everyone’s responsibility, drivers have the greatest ability to prevent collisions.”
School zone safety: Common driving mistakes to avoid
In 2026, SJPF launched the School Zone Safety Program aimed at supporting the safe arrival of students whether they were walking, cycling or being driven to school. The program reinforces existing traffic laws and traffic control measures designed to reduce risk around schools and improve safety for students.
This program will continue for the upcoming school year.
In Saint John, school zones typically have a 30 km/hour speed limit with digital signs advising motorists of their speed as they approach the zone. The reduced speed limits are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days, and passing is prohibited within school zones.
“We see drivers treating a school zone like a normal roadway,” says Constable Megan Lui from the Vancouver Police Department. “Some motorists continue driving at speeds they would use elsewhere instead of slowing to the posted 30 km/h limit.
“In many cases, drivers may only be a few kilometers over the limit, but even small increases in speed can significantly reduce reaction time and increase stopping distance. School zones are designed to protect children.”
Along with speeding, distracted driving and not yielding to pedestrians are of the greatest concern when the school year gets started, says Sheyda Saneinejad, manager of the Vision Zero Strategy for the City of Toronto.
The Vision Zero Road Safety Plan is an action plan introduced by the city to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto streets, prioritizing the safety of more vulnerable road users, including schoolchildren. Strategies include more school safety zones and school crossing guards, as well as speed limit reductions and increased police enforcement.
“As new school-year routines take shape, consider walking your child to school instead of driving, where possible, to help reduce traffic and improve safety around schools,” Saneinejad says.
Paul Qureshi, an inspector with Toronto Police Service’s Traffic Services, says drivers are often not stopping in both directions when a school bus is stopped to drop off or pick up students, as required by law. Also, too many drivers are not adjusting to the increased volume of all road users at this time of year, and they’re not yielding to pedestrians, cyclists and those on mobility devices, he says. Drivers should remain alert near every bus stop, watch for a deployed stop arm and flashing red lights, and be prepared to stop when children are entering or exiting a school bus.
Parents juggling busy morning routines need to plan and leave sufficient time, he adds.
“Put distractions away before driving and remember that a few seconds saved are never worth compromising safety,” says Saneinejad. “Slow down, scan for children walking, rolling and cycling, and expect the unexpected around schools.”
Back-to-school road safety is a shared responsibility
Qureshi says there are several misconceptions many motorists have about driving safely around schools that need to be corrected. Some of the most prevalent, he says, are:
- Kids will remember road safety rules after summer.
- School zones are only busy during drop-off and pick-up times.
- If you don’t see children, it’s safe to drive a little over the speed limit.
- Crossing guards guarantee everyone will cross safely.
Drivers should maintain a safe distance from pedestrians, cyclists and stopped school buses, as traffic conditions can change quickly depending on nearby traffic lights and surrounding traffic movement.
Parents, especially those with younger children, should practice pedestrian safety rules prior to the start of school, such as knowing traffic signs and watching both ways before crossing the street.
“As students return to school, we are reminding everyone that road safety is a shared responsibility,” Qureshi says. “With increased numbers of pedestrians, cyclists, school buses and other vulnerable road users on our roads, all road users must do their part to help keep our communities safe. Drivers, in particular, have an added responsibility to follow the rules of the road, remain alert, obey posted speed limits and exercise patience in and around school zones.
“A few extra moments of caution can make a significant difference in protecting those most at risk.”
Disclaimer: This information has been provided for your convenience only and should not be construed as providing legal or insurance advice.
