Be Prepared for Back to School Safety

With school starting up and roads being busier, the City is reminding residents to keep traffic safety in mind and remain alert.

Motorists are reminded to slow down in school zones and be extra aware of pedestrian traffic as children return to school on Tuesday, September 6. The school zone speed limit is 30 km/h between 8am and 5pm on school days.

Safe Driving Tips

• Watch for students walking or cycling to school.
• Pick up and drop off students in designated locations.
• Follow all posted signage, speed limits and no parking/stopping areas.
• Avoid distracted driving and keep your attention on the road.
• Never pass a school bus when it’s picking up or dropping off kids.
• Respect school pick-up and drop-off zones and time limits.  
• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks until pedestrians reach the other side of the curb.

Students and Pedestrians Are Reminded to Stop, Look, Wait

• Stop at the curb. Look for oncoming vehicles. Wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop before crossing.
• Always cross the road at an intersection or crosswalk. Don’t jaywalk.
• Avoid distractions. Put away electronic devices, cell phones and ear buds so you can hear approaching traffic.
• Be seen. Wear bright clothes or reflective gear to help increase your visibility. 

The City also encourages families to travel to school in a safe and active way. Walking and rolling to school has many benefits including: improved health and well being, increased attention and alertness at school, new community connections, and decreased vehicle congestion around school zones. 

Safe and Active School Travel Program (SASTP)

Together with North Vancouver School District (NVSD), the City's Safe and Active School Travel Program (SASTP) encourages safe and healthy school travel habits through outreach and improvements to the transportation infrastructure around schools. The program was launched in 2014 and has expanded to include nine schools.

School Travel Planning Facilitators have worked directly with the administration, students, and families at each of these schools over the years to identify barriers to active travel, encourage walking and rolling, and develop maps and an action plan tailored specifically to the school.

The SASTP action plans for each school identify a range of infrastructure upgrades to improve safety for children, families, and neighbours using streets around schools through improved signage, crosswalk markings, curb bulges, and sightline improvements. Every year, the City prioritizes as many of these interventions as possible to deliver through the capital plan.