Slow Down: Back-to-School Safety Tips for All Road Users

School is back in session, bringing excitement for students and parents alike. However, the increase in traffic also brings several risks, especially for pedestrian safety. The top three unsafe behaviours exhibited by drivers in school zones include speeding, illegal parking and distracted driving. Shockingly, nearly half of Canadians have witnessed speeding in schools zones at some point. Prioritizing school zone safety can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure safer roads for all. Additionally, maintaining safe driving habits can lead to lower insurance premiums – a win-win! This blog serves as your ultimate guide to school zone safety, answering questions like, “what’s the speed limit in a school zone?” and offering safety tips to enhance protection for drivers, cyclists and students alike. Keeping reading to learn more. 

Parents Call for Increased School Zone Safety Efforts 

Parents believe extra attention to school zones is necessary to ensure children travel safely to and from school. A recent survey found that 82 percent of parents in Ontario have witnessed dangerous behaviours in school zones, a four percent increase from last year. More than half of these parents consider the roads around their child’s school to be unsafe. The survey also revealed that 91 percent of parents in the province support lowering the speed limit in school zones even further, with 83 percent saying it should be 30 km/hr or lower. In regard to Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE), which is an automated system that uses a camera and speed measurement device to detect and capture images of vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit, more than 75 percent of survey respondents strongly supports its use in school zones, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, 81 percent of parents believe that the presence of ASE’s would deter speeding in school zones. These findings underscore parental concerns that current measures inadequately address risks to student safety during school commutes.

What’s the Speed Limit in a School Zone? Understanding Ontario’s System 

A school zone is a defined area near a school where children are likely to be present. You can identify a school zone by its distinctive fluorescent yellow sign featuring two figures walking. In Ontario, the school zone speed limit usually ranges from 30 to 40 km/hr. This limit is in effect from 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays, from September to June. Fines for speeding in school zones vary depending on how much over the limit you were driving. Drivers who repeatedly exceed school zone speed limits may face increased penalties that exceed the standard fines. Below are the standard penalties for speeding in a school zone in Ontario.

• 10 km/h over the speed limit: $95.00
• 20 km/h over the speed limit: 180.00 and three demerit points.
• 30 km/h over the speed limit: $450.00 and four demerit points.
• 40 km/h over the posted speed limit: $595.00 and four demerit points.

School Zone Safety Tips for Drivers

One of the most common mistakes drivers make is not allowing enough time when travelling through school zones. This can lead to rushing, which increases the risk of accidents. School zones are typically busier, so expect delays and congestion. Leaving earlier gives you time to drive cautiously, promoting safety for everyone on the road. Here are essential tips for drivers navigating school zones, whether dropping off children or passing through:

• Follow crossing guards’ instructions: Pay close attention to crossing guards who direct traffic. Avoid distractions like texting and focus on the road. When a crossing guard displays a stop sign, remain stopped until all pedestrians, including the guard, have safely cleared the road.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks and double parking: Blocking crosswalks forces students into dangerous traffic situations, hindering pedestrian safety. Double parking acts in a similar way, reducing visibility for students and other drivers.
• Use designated drop-off and pick-up zones: Respect the designated areas for dropping off and picking up children. Avoid picking up kids across the street. Carpooling can help reduce congestion. Respect “no parking” and “no stopping” zones near school parking lots and school bus stops.
• Stay Attentive: Distracted driving is a significant cause of accidents in Ontario. Avoid using handheld devices while driving. Violations can result in fines up to $1000 and three demerit points.
• Avoid passing and risky maneuvers: Do not pass other vehicles in school zones. Passing a vehicle requires you to accelerate and speeding in a school zone is never safe. Also avoid making U-turns or three-point turns, which can catch pedestrians and cyclists off guard.
• Reverse carefully: If you need to reverse, do so slowly while continuously checking for students, pedestrians and other vehicles.
• Watch out for cyclists: Be aware of cyclists on the road. Pass them slowly, leaving at least three feet of space between your vehicle and the cyclist. Remember, not all cyclists know their hand signals.
• School Bus Safety: When approaching or driving behind a school bus, be prepared to stop. Passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing is illegal and carries heavy penalties: a $2000 fine and six demerit points for a first offense. Maintain a safe following distance of three to four car lengths.

Practicing School Zone Safety Keeps Your Insurance Low

Practicing safe driving habits in school zones not only ensures the safety of all road users but also helps keep your insurance costs down. If caught driving over the speed limit in a school zone, you’ll receive a mandatory fine and risk accumulating three to four demerit points. These demerit points can lead to increased insurance premiums and fewer options for coverage from insurance companies. Factors such as demerit points, speeding tickets and careless driving all influence your insurance costs. The severity of the infraction determines how much your car insurance rates may increase, typically lasting three to five years, depending on the insurer. Violations in school zones, like speeding, are often viewed more seriously due to the heightened risk to children. Insurers may categorize you as a high-risk driver, resulting in higher premiums. Multiple violations in school zones could significantly raise your monthly insurance costs. By following posted school zone speed limits you can maintain lower car insurance rates and ensure the safety of all road users.

School Zone Safety Tips for Students and Pedestrians 

Did you know that most child-related bus accidents involve students who are walking? According to research by the National Safety Council, most children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are between just 4 to 7 years old. They are either hit by the bus or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. Here are some essential tips for students walking to school:

• Plan route ahead of time: Students who organize their routes ahead of time are less likely to experience unexpected surprises. When helping your son or daughter map out their route, try coordinating with other classmates so they can walk in a group – safety is better in numbers!
• Crossing 101: To ensure pedestrian safety, students should always cross at intersections, crosswalks or where there’s a crossing guard. They should stop at the curb, look both ways, then over your shoulder. Once the intersection is clear, they can start crossing while continuing to watch for approaching vehicles.
• Avoid cutting through parking lots: Students should avoid taking shortcuts through parking lots or around parked cars where drivers may have difficulty seeing them.
• Ensure visibility: Dark clothing can make pedestrians hard to see, increasing the risk of accidents. Students can prevent this by wearing bright clothing and/or reflective gear, especially if they plan to walk at night or in bad weather.

Over 833,000 students in Ontario begin and end their day with a ride on the bus. It’s considered the safest mode of transportation for students, being 72 times safer than travelling by car and 45 times safer than walking or cycling to school. Despite this, children must take precautions to ensure their safety while on and awaiting for the school bus.

• Arrive at the Bus Stop Early: It’s important to arrive at least five minutes before the scheduled bus arrival. Stand at least six feet (or three large steps) away from the curb while waiting.
• At the Bus Stop: If something falls near the bus, students should not pick it up themselves; instead they should inform the bus driver.
• Crossing Safely: Wait for the bus driver’s signal before crossing the road. Always cross in front of the bus, allowing at least 10 feet (or five large steps). Make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing and never walk behind the bus.
• Getting on/off the Bus: Wait until the bus has completely stopped and the door is open before approaching or standing up on the bus. Use the handrail for stability and ensure any loose objects like backpack straps, shoelaces or hood drawstrings are secured to prevent them from getting caught.
• Behaviour on the Bus: While on the bus, students should remain seated with their head, arms and belongings inside. Keep the aisles clear of books and bags so the bus driver has clear visibility through the back window at all times. Use an indoor voice and respect the bus driver’s instructions.

School Zone Safety Tips for Cyclists 

Riding a bicycle is a great way for kids to get physical activity but biking to school comes with increased risk. Before your son or daughter pedals anywhere, help them plan their route and inspect their bike to ensure proper air pressure in the tires, functioning brakes and a lightly oiled chain. Below are some additional tips to discuss with your child to ensure they’re riding to school safely:

• Protective Equipment: Teach your children the importance of wearing a helmet and find one that fits them properly. Make sure they wear it on every ride.
• Follow the Rules of the Road: Just like driving a car, biking requires obeying all traffic laws, signs and signals. Children should ride with the flow of traffic, yield to pedestrians, give warnings when approaching, stop at all stop signs and pass on the left.
• Learn proper signals: Teach your child to signal a left turn by stretching their left arm all the way out, a right turn by either bending their left arm at the elbow in an “L” shape or stretching out their right arm and stopping by bending their left arm down at the elbow in an upside down “L” shape.
• Pay Attention to Surroundings: Children should never cycle with earbuds or anything that might prevent them from hearing traffic or distract them. They should also stay off their phone and make eye contact with other road users when crossing the street to ensure they’re seen.
  

Slow Down, Stay Alert and Save on Insurance with Acumen

With school back in session and increased traffic, safety becomes a top priority. Practicing school zone and pedestrian safety can prevent accidents and ensure children get to and from school safely. Maintaining safe driving habits also helps keep your insurance premiums low. At Acumen Insurance, we strive to provide you with the right car insurance coverage, but what happens when you get behind the wheel is up to you. We hope the tips we’ve shared help make this back-to-school season safer for everyone on the road. Connect with us today to learn more about securing car insurance that goes the extra mile. We are always just a quick call away to help you understand how auto insurance can protect you, others and your property in the event of an accident.