Drive with care this school year

As students head back to school this week, it’s important to remember the vital role we all play in keeping school zones safe. Whether you’re travelling on foot or wheels, let’s work together to protect all road users.  

We’ve teamed up with some of the sharpest minds around – Vaughan’s youth – to share critical road safety tips. Watch this video to hear what they have to say! 

Here are some more reminders for drivers and pedestrians to follow when travelling to, from or through school zone areas. 

For drivers:

• Reduce speed, especially when slippery conditions are present, and be ready to stop at all times.
• Be sure 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.
• Do not pass other vehicles.
• Obey the rules of the road, including posted speed limits.
• Abide by all parking and traffic regulations.
• Obey crossing guard signals and yield to pedestrians.
• Pay attention to your 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.
• Watch for signs indicating "No Stopping" and "No Parking."
• Stay back 0.6 metres (or two feet) from private driveways to avoid upsetting residents.

For pedestrians:

• Walk young children to school.
• Encourage children to always obey the crossing guards.
• Walk, don’t run, when crossing the street.
• Pay attention to cars 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.

School zone safety is a joint priority for the City of Vaughan’s Transportation and Fleet Management Services, By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services and Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service departments. Together, with York Regional Police, York Region, York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board, we are working to ensure the safety of all community members.   

Visit vaughan.ca/SchoolZoneSafety for more information.

For updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.