Smart School Zone Solutions: Addressing the Safety Crisis

New Data Reveals Alarming Trends as Students Return to Class

CTA News On School Zone Dropoffs

As children across Canada prepare to return to school next week, new research from CAA reveals a troubling reality: school zones are becoming increasingly dangerous, with the vast majority of parents witnessing unsafe driving behaviors during drop-off and pick-up times. The urgent need for smart school zone solutions has never been clearer.

The Numbers Don't Lie

High percentages of parents in Ontario (84%) and Manitoba (90%) report significant safety risks in school dropoff zones, highlighting concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety.

Recent surveys conducted by CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba paint a stark picture of school zone safety:

• 83% of Ontario parents and a staggering 90% of Manitoba parents report witnessing unsafe driving behaviors in school zones

• Over 60% of parents in both provinces consider their child's school zone "very unsafe"

• Traffic congestion during school hours is rising year over year, with 81% of Ontario parents noticing increased congestion at drop-off and 84% during pick-up

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The unsafe behaviors parents are witnessing include speeding, distracted driving, double parking, stopping in undesignated areas, and blocking school bus zones—all putting our most vulnerable road users at risk.

The Vicious Cycle

Perhaps most concerning is the emerging pattern revealed in the data: as school zones become more dangerous, more parents are choosing to drive their children to school rather than let them walk or take the bus. In Manitoba, 43% of parents now drive their children to school—an 8-point increase since 2023, with safety concerns cited as the primary reason.

This creates a vicious cycle: more cars around schools lead to more congestion, which leads to more frustrated drivers making poor decisions, which makes zones less safe, which prompts even more parents to drive their kids, perpetuating the problem.

Students with backpacks head into school as cars line up in the busy drop-off area.

Solutions on the Table

Parents aren't just identifying problems—they're demanding solutions. The surveys reveal strong support for evidence-based traffic calming measures:

• Nearly half of Ontario parents support reducing speed limits in school zones from 40 km/h to 30 km/h

• 83% of Manitoba parents back lower speed limits

• Strong support exists across both provinces for automated speed enforcement (ASE), speed bumps, and digital signage

As one CAA representative noted in a recent interview, "We've been out of routine. Let's all do our best and plan ahead so we don't make any poor decisions while we're on the road."

The Path Forward: Implementing Smart School Zone Solutions

The data makes clear that incremental changes aren't enough. We need comprehensive school zone safety reforms that address both infrastructure and behavior:

Immediate Actions:

• Implement 30 km/h speed limits in all school zones

• Deploy automated speed enforcement during school hours

• Install smart school zone beacon systems with intelligent scheduling that activate automatically during peak school hours

• Deploy radar-activated warning beacons that alert drivers when speed limits are exceeded

• Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at key pedestrian crossings

• Upgrade crosswalk lights with modern LED technology for better visibility

Long-term Solutions:

• Invest in connected LED embedded signs and beacon systems with remote monitoring capabilities

• Focus on improving pedestrian safety through comprehensive crosswalk upgrades and flashing crosswalk lights

• Create safer crossings for pedestrians with enhanced lighting and signal systems

• Implement comprehensive education campaigns targeting both parents and drivers

• Create car-free zones around schools during drop-off and pick-up times

• Deploy asset monitoring systems that provide real-time alerts about infrastructure performance and maintenance needs

School safety zone sign with flashing lights, surrounded by snow, urging drivers to slow down in front of a school building.

Time for Leadership

With 83-90% of parents witnessing dangerous driving behaviors in school zones, this isn't a minor traffic issue—it's a public safety crisis. Our children deserve to arrive at school safely, whether they're walking, cycling, taking the bus, or being driven.

Local governments, school boards, and transportation authorities must treat these findings as a call to action. The data is clear, parent concerns are valid, and solutions exist. What we need now is the political will to implement them before the start of another school year brings more close calls and potential tragedies.

The question isn't whether we can afford to make our school zones safer—it's whether we can afford not to.

🔗 Learn More: Explore our complete range of school zone beacons, LED signs, and crosswalk safety solutions

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This post is based on recent CAA surveys conducted in Ontario (1,511 parents) and Manitoba (516 parents) in May 2025, released in August 2025.