CAA Saskatchewan is reminding motorists, parents, and students to be alert and stay safe around schools and playgrounds. With students back in class, busy extra-curricular schedules, and the arrival of cooler weather, school zones are becoming more congested. According to a recent CAA survey, the top two hazardous behaviours performed by motorists in school zones are speeding and distracted driving. The reported top two risky behaviours for pedestrians including students are jaywalking and failing to look both ways before crossing streets.

“With the school year starting, we need to work together to keep our kids safe,” said Sgt. Jason Jacobson, with the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Traffic Unit. “Please slow down to 30 km/h in school and playground zones. The SPS Traffic Unit will be enforcing these zones.” 

“We all have a place in keeping our community safe, remember to slow down and be alert in school zones. Follow traffic rules and watch for safety patrollers who are helping fellow students cross the street safely,” said Cst. Andi Costanza, a Regina Police Service Resource Officer who also helps train CAA School Safety Patrol teams in Regina.

So how can YOU help make school zones safer?

Parents

• Slow down and give yourself more time. Have patience when dealing with motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and buses in congested areas.
• Work out a morning routine that keeps you from getting distracted. Avoid texting, drinking, eating and other activities while driving. Staying organized and safety-focused sets a good example for kids.
• Use designated drop-off zones and obey speed limits and other signs.
• Consider carpooling or parking a block away then walk with your child to ease drop-off traffic.
• Remind your children to stay alert and pay attention to what’s going on around them. Tell them to make eye contact with drivers to ensure they are seen before crossing the road.

Students

• Consider the buddy system so no one walks or cycles alone.
• Never jaywalk or dart between parked cars.
• STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK before crossing streets and busy intersections. Remember to cross at crosswalks and marked intersections.

Motorists

• Eliminate distracted driving.
• Obey traffic laws.
• Understand and abide by the ‘no stopping’ and ‘no parking’ signage.
• Drive according to the posted speed limit.
• Performing U-turns in school zones is illegal in some municipalities.

Photo credit: Angel Blair

Many school and community groups in Saskatchewan have taken advantage of the CAA School Zone Safety Assessment tool which is a CAA-owned, online application (app) that tracks the identified risky behaviours and ultimately provides education and awareness about the importance of school zone safety. The assessment tool is free of charge and can be booked through CAA Saskatchewan. School or community staff must make themselves available for the onsite tracking assessment and can work with CAA to establish the risky behaviours to be tracked. The results are collected by CAA and given to the school community to share with staff, students, families, community partners, and decision makers with the sole purpose of making necessary safety improvements in the school zone.

Learn more at: caask.ca/schoolzonesafety

Also, please be on the lookout for CAA School Safety Patrollers who are doing their best to keep students safe in school zones. The CAA School Safety Patrol® program relies on student volunteers in grades 5 to 8. These young safety heroes carry stop paddles, wear bright neon vests to watch over their younger peers, helping them cross the road safely. The focus of patrol work is to let students know when it is safe to cross the street. CAA partners with local police to train these young volunteers. The program reinforces safety in school zones and the students who participate gain confidence and leadership skills. CAA Saskatchewan has owned and managed the CAA School Safety Patrol program since 1951 and has approximately 3,000 patrollers in our province.

Interested in starting your own CAA School Safety Patrol? Starter kits with training materials, stop paddles, and reflective vests are free of charge.

For more information: caask.ca/patroller

The safety of our children and all road users is a priority for CAA Saskatchewan.
 

For further information or media interviews, please contact:

Angel Blair
Senior Communications Specialist
CAA School Zone Safety & CAA School Safety Patrol Coordinator
CAA Saskatchewan
(306) 216-7362
Angel.Blair@caask.ca