School Traffic Safety Tips

Safety Tip No. 1 Safety Tip No. 4

No U-turns and No Backing Up
Drivers should not make U-turns or back
up their vehicles in a school zone because
it can be difficult to see small children who
might be crossing the street. U-turns can be
confusing for children as they may not be able
to anticipate irregular vehicular movements.
Safety Tip No. 2
Pedestrian Visibility
Pedestrians should wear fluorescent, brightly
coloured, or reflective materials on their coats
and backpacks so they are more visible to
drivers.
Watch Carefully for Approaching
Traffic When Crossing the Street
Parents should teach children to look left,
right, and left again and always make eye
contact with drivers before crossing the
street. Making eye contact is an important
part of ensuring that the driver has seen the
pedestrian and intends to stop. Pedestrians
should continue watching for traffic as they
cross the street. It is important for children to
learn not to assume that all drivers will stop.

Safety Tip No. 3

Avoid Driving Into the School's
Parking Lot
Avoid driving into the school's parking lot
to pick up and drop off children. Encourage
children to walk, in-line skate, cycle, or take
transit to school.
If you must drive your children to school,
park legally on a street near the school and
walk. Fewer cars in school parking lots and
in front of schools reduce conflicts between
pedestrians and vehicle traffic. All signs and
pavement markings that outline safe pick-up/
drop-off practices must be respected.
Traffic Safety Regulations
Safety Regulation No. 1 Safety Regulation No. 3
30 km/hr in School and Playground "No Stopping" Zones
Speed Zones Regulation
Do not stop in a "No Stopping" zone
Regulation for any reason. These zones are in
Travel at 30 km/hr or less in:
effect in areas where a stopped vehicle
School zones, 8:00am-5:00 pm, on
could obstruct the visibility of drivers
school days; and
and pedestrians and increase the
Playground zones from dawn to dusk
likelihood of a traffic collision.
every day.
Travelling at 30 km/hr or less near
The following "No Stopping" zones may or may not
a school or playground increases
have signs:
the ability of a driver to stop his/her
Within 2 m of a driveway;
vehicle in order to allow a child to
Within 5 m of a fire hydrant;
cross the street safely.
Within 6 m of a crosswalk; and
Within 6 m of an intersection.
Penalty
The penalties for speeding in a 30 km/hr zone include
a fine ranging from $196 to $460 per the Motor
Penalty
The penalty for stopping in a "No Stopping" zone
Vehicle Act, as well as driver premium points.
can be as much as $81 per the Motor Vehicle Act or a

Safety Regulation No. 2

$50violation per the Traffic Bylaw.

"No Parking" Zones Safety Regulation No. 4

Regulation School Zone - "Do Not Pass"
Do not park in a "No Parking" zone.
Stopping briefly to drop off or pick Regulation
up a passenger is permitted; however, Do not pass other vehicles in a school zone. The "Do
waiting in your vehicle or leaving it Not Pass" restrictions are designated on arterial roads
unattended is not allowed. By parking adjacent to elementary schools.
in a "No Parking" zone, a driver could cause traffic
congestion or an accident, and may obstruct the
visibility of other drivers and pedestrians.
Penalty
The penalties for passing another vehicle in a "Do Not
Pass" school zone include a fine of $167 per the Motor
Penalty Vehicle Act, as well as driver premium points.
The penalty for parking in a "No Parking" zone is $80
per the Motor Vehicle Act or a $50 violation per the
Traffic Bylaw.