The CAA has conducted its annual survey, looking at dangerous driving in school zones. Results found 82 per cent of parents have witnessed dangerous driving habits, which is a four per cent increase from 2022. More than half of parents, 55 per cent, believe the roads around their kids' school are not safe.
"The safety of students is the number one priority at CAA," said Tracy Marshall, community relations manager of government and community relations at CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO). "We have a CAA school safety patrol program, we have teacher resources. This survey is just part of that thought, leadership, education, and awareness work that we do around school safety."
The most surprising findings of the survey were the increase in dangerous habits.
"Speeding, double parking, and stopping in undesignated areas were the highest of the dangerous behaviours parents witnessed," said Marshall. "Those types of things are where parents are the most concerned, and congestion as well."
She added that it's a given there will be congestion in school zones, especially at the start and end of the day. The survey found 41 per cent of students are being driven to school with 80 per cent of parents experiencing congestion in the drop off/pick up areas.
Drivers are reminded to slow down, keep hands on the wheel, keep your eyes on the road, and make eye contact with pedestrians.
"Especially around the beginning of the year when the kids are very excited and nervous, they're not always paying attention," said Marshall. "We all have a responsibility to look out for one another, but especially in these areas of special interest where public safety is a concern."
Parents are reminded to follow the same safety protocols and educate their children on safety precautions.