Parents worried as school zone safety concerns rise: CAA

School safety zones in the undated file image.

Parents across Ontario say school zones are more congested and less safe, according to a new survey by CAA South Central Ontario.

The poll found 81 per cent of parents report heavy traffic during morning drop-off, while 84 per cent see congestion after school — both increases from last year.

“There’s more congestion than ever in these school zones. More and more parents are choosing to drive their children to school rather than walk or cycle,” said Lauren Fisher, manager of government and stakeholder relations for CAA.

“We want to make sure that people are aware school is coming back next week and plan ahead — make sure you have that extra time so you’re not in a rush and don’t make those poor decisions.”

CAA said 63 per cent of parents now consider their child’s school zone very unsafe, up from 55 per cent in 2023. Fisher called the number “alarming,” pointing to unsafe driving behaviours, such as speeding, double parking, and stopping in the wrong areas.

Some schools also lack proper drop-off areas, making matters worse.

“If that is the case, what we’re asking parents to do is park a block away and walk the extra kilometre, just to make sure that you get your kid to school safely,” Fisher said in an interview with CTV News.

Many parents also support stricter safety measures, including lowering speed limits in school zones to 30 km/h and expanding automated speed enforcement.

“Kids are excited that they’re coming back to school, they might be darting across the road,” Fisher said.

“If you’re going the proper speed limit, it gives you that extra time to react.”

In Windsor, city officials are reminding parents that parking safety is also part of the equation. Bill Kralovensky, the city’s coordinator of parking services, told AM800 News that families should plan ahead to avoid unsafe or illegal drop-offs.

“We want to get the children there safe, get them home safe,” Kralovensky said.

“Take some time and go and investigate where we can park safely first of all, and legally second of all, so that our children can enjoy and have a good start.”

The city said it will begin with education, but enforcement is also on the table.

“If the candy doesn’t work, then we’ve got to go back to the stick and start issuing some tickets,” Kralovensky said.

Both CAA and Windsor officials are encouraging drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, follow drop-off rules, and plan ahead as the school year begins next week.

- With files from AM800 News