In B.C., 78 children aged five to 18 are injured in crashes in school or playground zones every year.* With children heading back to school, the B.C. government, ICBC and police are asking drivers to watch for children, especially in or around school zones and expect more traffic on our roads. Police and Speed Watch volunteers will be closely monitoring drivers’ speeds in school zones across the province.
Parents are encouraged to review the rules of the road with their children and go over their daily route to and from school.
The start of the school year is also a great time for parents to consider carpooling with another parent in their neighborhood for school drop off and pick up or allowing their child to walk or cycle to school if possible to help reduce traffic congestion and vehicle carbon emissions.
Quotes:
“We all need to do our part to keep children and students safe,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “That means expecting busier roads and giving yourself plenty of travel time so you aren’t rushing and can stay focused on the road. Use extra caution especially around school zones.”
“When parents send their kids back to school this fall, they expect them to come home safely at the end of the day,” said Mike Bernier, Minister of Education. “It’s up to all of us as drivers, as parents, and as students to slow down, be alert and obey the rules of the road.”
“Police will be closely monitoring drivers’ speeds in school zones to make sure they stick to the 30-km/h speed limit,” said Chief Constable Neil Dubord, Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “We want children to get a safe start to the school year so we’re asking drivers to be extra careful on our roads and watch for children.”
“The start of the school year is an exciting time for children so road safety may not be top of mind for them,” said Lindsay Matthews, ICBC’s director responsible for road safety. “We’re encouraging parents to talk to their children about the rules of the road and their daily route to school. Even older children need to be reminded about road safety.”
Tips for drivers:
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Every school day, unless otherwise posted, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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When you’re dropping off your children in school zones, allow them to exit the car on the side closest to the sidewalk. Never allow a child to cross mid-block.
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If a vehicle’s stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding to a pedestrian, so proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.
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Watch for school buses. Vehicles approaching from both directions must stop for school buses when their lights are flashing.
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Before getting into your vehicle, walk around your vehicle to make sure no small children are hidden from your view. Always look for pedestrians when you’re backing up.
Tips for parents and kids:
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Review ICBC’s child pedestrian safety tips with your children and post them in your home.
Regional statistics*:
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In the Lower Mainland, 46 children aged five to 18 are injured in crashes in school or playground zones every year.
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On Vancouver Island, 12 children aged five to 18 are injured in crashes in school or playground zones every year.
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In the Southern Interior, 14 children aged five to 18 are injured in crashes in school or playground zones every year.
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In North Central B.C., seven children aged five to 18 are injured in crashes in school or playground zones every year.
ICBC provides free road safety educational materials to B.C. schools to help students from kindergarten to grade 10 learn about road safety topics unique to their grade level using fun and interactive activities.
*Annual crash and injury averages based on 2009 to 2013 data reported by ICBC. Annual fatal average based on 2009 to 2013 police-reported data.