Public school part of traffic safety pilot amid ‘unprecedented’ number of road deaths: city

Part of the new traffic safety features on 118 Avenue NW, an arterial road near Highlands School, on Sept. 5, 2025. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton)

In an effort to protect some of its most vulnerable road users, Edmonton has introduced new traffic safety features at a public school that sits adjacent to an arterial road.

Highlands School, which teaches kindergarten to Grade 9, is part of a pilot project aimed at reducing speeds near the area of 118 Avenue NW at key times of the day, said a media release from the city.

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Because arterial roads adjacent to schools aren’t designated playground zones, the city explained, there are no speed limits when school is in session, making it a dangerous area for children walking, biking or rolling.

The safety features include rapid flashing beacons that activate a 30 km/h speed zone when needed and speed check signs that will signal to a driver if they are travelling above the speed limit.

The city is also refreshing crosswalk markings and safety posts around pedestrian signals near the school.

Pavement markings will be on the road to notify drivers that they are in a school zone. This includes “dragon’s teeth” markings, which visually narrow the road for drivers to keep them aware of being near a school.

The release noted the pilot came from an increased number of concerns from nearby residents and the school community about pedestrian safety and driver speeds.

It also aligns with Vision Zero, Edmonton’s pledge from 2021 aimed to eliminate traffic-related serious injuries and fatalities by 2032.

“There have been an unprecedented amount of road accident fatalities this year,” the release said. “The city urges all residents to put safety first and help prevent further tragedies by making safer choices every time they travel.”

By July 17, Edmonton police sent a release saying they had already seen 20 fatal crashes this year. That number is on track to surpass those in recent years.

Traffic data in the area will be monitored to determine if any adjustments are needed and are meant to help the city learn ways to address traffic safety at schools, especially those near roads that see high volumes of traffic.

Residents can inform the city about any challenges or maintenance needed throughout the school year, or about the new measures by calling 311.