School Area Safety

Nested Applications

Breadcrumb

Banner - RES - Roads - School Area Safety

A group of diverse elementary aged students walk to school with their backpacks on.

Content - RES - Roads - School Area Safety

Safer school areas start with you!

The safety of students travelling to and from school is a shared responsibility of all road users - we all have a part to play. As motorists, it’s important that we drive with care in our neighbourhoods and school areas, respect parking regulations, and remain ready to stop at all times. Together, we can ensure safe journeys to and from school for all. 

Choose healthy, active, and sustainable school travel

Walk, roll, or cycle

Many families live within a short walk, roll, or bike ride to school. Choosing active travel to school has many benefits, including:  

  • Reduced vehicle volumes and safer school areas for all 
  • Increased physical and mental health 
  • Improved academic performance 
  • Reduced carbon footprint 

Ride the bus

Families that live within the school bus catchment area are encouraged to have their children ride the bus to school. Riding the bus helps to reduce vehicle congestion in the school area, improves road safety for students walking and cycling to school, and minimizes our collective environmental impact. 

Alternatively, students aged 14 years old can ride Kingston Transit for free. Grade 9-12 students are also eligible for a free Student Pass for unlimited use of Kingston Transit.

Park and stride

For families that need to drive to school, consider parking a block or two from the school and walking or rolling the last few minutes to complete your journey. After school, meet your child at the entrance and walk or roll back to your vehicle together. 

Even a few minutes of active travel can have a big impact on student health and mental preparedness for classroom learning, while limiting traffic and improving student safety in the school area.

Respect Parking Regulations

Fines for "No Stopping" violations in school areas have increased. Visit our parking page to learn more.

Parking regulations in school areas are in place to improve road safety for all users. Illegally parked vehicles create safety hazards by impeding sightlines, school buses, transit, and other essential services. Ensuring your vehicle is stopped or parked legally for student pick-up and drop-off is essential for the safety of students and other road users

Three school area street signs. A no parking sign, a no stopping sign, and a no stopping school bus loading sign

No parking zones

You can stop briefly to drop off or pick up students in this area, but you cannot park and wait in your vehicle. 

No stopping zones

You cannot stop to drop off or pick up students in this area for any length of time. ‘No Stopping’ restrictions are typically in effect: 

  • Near intersection corners - to maintain pedestrian and motorist sightlines.
  • Near School Crossing Guard locations - to maintain sightlines and ensure students can cross safely.
  • In School Bus Loading Zones - to prioritize all-day access for school bus operations and passenger loading/unloading. 
  • Along the curb opposite the school - to deter students from crossing the street for pick-up/drop-off mid-block. 

Do not double park

Double parking is illegal and creates sightline issues for vehicles attempting to pass and for pedestrians crossing the street.  

Drive with Care

Respect speed limits

Speeding is illegal and dangerous. Travelling at higher speeds results in a longer stopping distance and increases the potential for conflicts with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. In areas designated as Community Safety Zones, the fines for many traffic violations, including speeding, are doubled to promote safer driving

Come to a complete stop

Make sure the intersection is clear before proceeding through stop signs, school crossings, and pedestrian crossings.  

Obey crossing guards

Come to a complete stop when the STOP paddle is raised. Do not proceed until all persons including the Crossing Guard have cleared the roadway. Learn more about the City’s Crossing Guard Program.

Focus on the road

Don’t drive distracted. Keep your cell phone stowed, remain alert, and avoid using hands-free devices.  

Avoid U-turns

Children don’t anticipate a change in a vehicle’s direction. Drive around the block instead.  

Don’t be that driver

Reduce your speed, be patient and courteous to other road users, give space when passing cyclists, and always be prepared to slow down and stop. Pass cyclists only when safe to do so while maintaining at least one metre of space.  

School bus safety

Never pass a stopped school bus; it is illegal and dangerous. Come to a complete stop and wait for the flashing lights to stop and the bus to begin moving again before continuing to drive.

Docs - RES - Roads - School Area Safety

Contact - RES - Roads Traffic - Traffic Calming