Safety Zones

Road safety remains a leading priority for the City of Vaughan – especially when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable road users.

The City continues to implement various traffic calming measures to enhance our existing programs and ensure all road users, including those who walk, cycle, take transit or drive, are kept safe. 

Mobility Strategy
MoveSmart
Speed Limit
Speed Limit Policy
Street crossing
Crossing Guard Services
A graphic of a bench next to a tree with birds above.
Active School Travel

School Zones 

 

As students make their way to and from class, there is more pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the road. It is important for drivers, parents and children to be alert, follow the rules of the road, and walk safely – especially in school zones.

  • Walk young children to school.
  • Encourage children to always obey the crossing guards.
  • Walk, don’t run, when crossing the street.
  • Pay attention to vehicular traffic while walking along or crossing roads.
  • Obey all traffic rules and signals.
  • Ensure you are visible to drivers and cyclists, and make eye contact once they have stopped before crossing.
  • Cross at designated crosswalks, crossovers or controlled intersections.
  • Be mindful of slippery conditions on sidewalks and roadways.
  • Reduce speed in school zones, especially when slippery conditions are present, and be ready to stop at all times.
  • Ensure to give yourself enough time to get to your destination without the need for speed.
  • Expect the unexpected. Children may cross the street at the wrong place, run into traffic or ride a bike in front of a vehicle without warning.
  • Stop for school buses and be aware of children running in front of or behind buses.
  • Avoid U-turns in school zones.
  • Do not pass other vehicles in a school zone.
  • Obey the rules of the road, including posted speed limits.
  • Abide by all parking and traffic regulations in school zones.
  • Obey crossing guard signals and yield to pedestrians.
  • Pay attention to the surroundings. Watch for and yield the whole roadway to pedestrians when approaching a pedestrian crossover. Failing to do so may result in fines of up to $1,000 and four demerit points.
  • Avoid distraction within the vehicle and ensure children are secured in a correctly installed child restraint seat.
  • Ensure children exit by the passenger side of the vehicle.
  • Keep fire routes and bus zones clear.
  • Leave nine metres (or 29 feet) between the car and the crosswalks and/or stop signs when parking. Parking too close to these locations makes it difficult to see children when crossing the road.
  • Avoid double parking in school zones.
  • Watch for signs indicating "No Stopping" and "No Parking."
  • Stay back 0.6 metres (or two feet) from private driveways to avoid upsetting residents.
  • Youtube Thumbnail
    Drive with care this school year
  • Youtube Thumbnail
    Gearing up for safer school zones
  • Youtube Thumbnail
    Get an A+ in school zone parking

Safer School Zones Plan

 

As part of MoveSmart, the City has retained an independent consultant to develop a Safer School Zones Plan, which will improve safety for vulnerable road users in school zone areas. The plan will include:

  • recommendations for additional road safety measures near schools.
  • policies, guidelines and standards to improve pick-up and drop-off activity, enhance pedestrian safety, and address parking, speeding and traffic circulation around schools.
  • a review of Vaughan’s Active School Travel pilot program and recommendations to expand the program.
  • engagement and educational opportunities to enhance active school travel in Vaughan and encourage elementary and secondary school students to participate.
     

To ensure the success of the plan, we are working with various stakeholders, including York Region, York Catholic District School Board, York Region District School Board, York Region Public Health, York Regional Police, York Region Transit, elementary and secondary school principals, and parent councils to develop a comprehensive approach to school zone safety.

 

Safe school zones and the well-being of the community remain a top priority for the City. We continue to collaborate with stakeholders and leverage partnerships to raise awareness, share information and promote active and sustainable travel, as road safety is a shared value and responsibility.

 

The final plan is anticipated to be completed in 2024.

Additional Resources

 

Related Links