School zone safety
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City urges all road users to be cautious as students head back to school
As students make their way back to class, there will be 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.
The City of Vaughan is reminding everyone to take extra precautions around crosswalks, pedestrian crossovers, stopped school buses, schools and intersections.
Tips for pedestrians of all ages:
- 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.
- Always obey all traffic rules and signals.
- Make sure drivers and cyclists see them before crossing and make eye contact once they have stopped.
- Always cross at designated crosswalks, crossovers or controlled intersections.
- In response to COVID-19, keep a safe physical distance from others and avoid gathering in groups. Wear face coverings where physical distancing is not possible.
Tips for drivers and cyclists:
- Reduce speed in school zones and be ready to stop at all times.
- 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 all laws 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 and watch for and yield 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, if required.
- Ensure children exit by the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Keep fire routes and bus zones clear.
- When parking, leave nine metres (29 feet) between the car and the crosswalks and/or stop signs. 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 (two feet) from private driveways to avoid upsetting residents.
School zone safety is a joint priority for the City of Vaughan’s Transportation and Fleet Management Services and By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services departments as well as Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service. Together with York Regional Police, York Region, York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board, the City is working to ensure the safety of all members of the community.
As part of this approach, the City is launching its 2020/21 Speed Compliance Program for school zones. Speed signs will be installed in locations at elementary schools throughout the city for two-week periods- to help raise awareness of motorist travel speed and safety. The program is planned to start in early September.
As well, schools throughout York Region are encouraging students and their families to use active means of travel to school such as walking or biking instead of driving. Active School Travel programs promote increased physical activity, manage traffic congestion and improve air quality. Parents can learn more through their school.
Crossing guard safety:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City continues to implement measures to ensure the health and safety of all citizens, including school crossing guards and the children travelling to and from school.
As a result, the following precautions are being taken:
- Training on COVID-19-related procedures and safety measures for crossing guards.
- Providing masks for crossing guards.
- Requiring the completion of the Province's COVID-19 self-assessment questionnaire before reporting to work to ensure they are symptom-free.
- Installing signage at all school crossing guard locations to reinforce physical distancing.
Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on the virus, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
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