Drive safely – school is back in session!

Sept. 8, 2021 10:00 a.m.
​Speed limits reduced to help ensure pedestrians, cyclists and motorists stay safe


The morning hustle and bustle is here! As kids head back to in-person classes, don’t forget to stay alert and stay safe when traveling to and from school. Remember, speed limits have been reduced from 50 to 40 kilometres per hour in all school zone areas. Keep an eye out for signage to indicate the change and follow the City of Vaughan’s safety guidelines.

Take extra precautions around crosswalks, pedestrian crossovers, stopped school buses, schools and intersections.

Tips for pedestrians:

  • Walk young children to school.
  • Encourage children to always obey 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 only.
  • Be mindful of slippery conditions on sidewalks and roadways.

Tips for drivers and cyclists: 

  • 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 oncoming 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 your surroundings. Watch for, stop and yield the whole roadway to pedestrians when approaching a pedestrian crossover. (Failing to do so may result in fines from York Regional Police of up to $1,000 and four demerit points.)
  • Avoid distractions within the vehicle and ensure children are secured in a correctly installed child restraint seat if required.
  • 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.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has taken the following precautions to keep everyone healthy when heading back to class:

  • Training crossing guards on COVID-19-related procedures and safety measures.
  • Providing crossing guards with masks.
  • Requiring crossing guards to complete the Province's COVID-19 self-assessment questionnaire before reporting to work each day to ensure they are symptom-free.
  • Installing signage at all school crossing guard locations to reinforce physical distancing.

Visit vaughan.ca/SchoolZoneSafety for more information.

QUOTE

“This week, many children and youth will head back to class for in-person learning. While it is an exciting time, remember to keep road safety top of mind. One of our priorities in Vaughan is to ensure that families feel safe while walking, cycling or driving to and from school. Today, the City of Vaughan launched its new Speed Limit Policy in all school zones across Vaughan. New signage has been installed, and speed limits have decreased from 50 to 40 kilometres per hour to keep municipal roads safe for all motorists and pedestrians. We have taken this important and necessary step in an effort to reduce instances of speeding and motor vehicle accidents. We all share the responsibility and have a role to play in keeping school zones safe for everyone. I want to remind children, parents and drivers to be alert, walk safely – especially in school zones – and follow road rules. To everyone preparing for the 2021-22 school year, I wish you the best as you continue your academic journey.”

-        Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

QUICK FACTS

LEARN MORE

  • City of Vaughan school zone safety webpage
  • City of Vaughan Speed Limit Policy webpage
  • City of Vaughan MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy webpage

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