School zone observations: Drivers too quick to forget speed limits

To document and measure motorists’ level of compliance with speed limits in school zones, CAA-Quebec observed their behaviour at three specific times: before, during, and after the start of the school year. At the end of the third observation period, just a few days after the start of the school year, the results were alarming: 89% of motorists did not respect the speed limit in front of École Saint-Lawrence in Candiac, and 64% exceeded 30 km/h in front of École des Berges in Québec. Old habits die hard, and it is vital to remember that this behaviour endangers the lives of those most vulnerable: our children.  

Between August 21 and October 3, three observation activities were carried out in front of two schools, one in Québec and the other in Candiac. The first took place before the start of the school year, the second as kids were going back to school, and the third nearly a month after school was back in session. The goal was simple: to measure speed and determine whether motorists were abiding by the speed limit in school zones.  

Findings at École Saint-Lawrence in Candiac: 

• Before the start of the school year, motorists were observed driving an average of 10 km/h above the 30 km/h limit. 

• At the start of the school year, the presence of a Roussillon intermunicipal police vehicle caused motorists to slow down, demonstrating that a police presence has a direct effect on driver behaviour.  

• Once the back-to-school period was over, the bad behaviour resumed, with motorists observed driving an average of 8 km/h over the 30 km/h limit. 

Findings at École des Berges in Québec:  

• Before the start of the school year, the majority of motorists observed near the school complied with the variable speed limit, which was set at 50 km/h at the time. 

• At the start of the school year, we observed the same behaviour, but the average was still slightly above the 30 km/h limit.  

• Once school was fully back in session, the average speed recorded was similar to that observed during the first week of school, slightly over the 30 km/h limit.  

• The layout of Rue du Prince-Édouard and the numerous features designed to encourage compliance with speed limits naturally prompt motorists to drive carefully.  

Other unsafe behaviours

In addition to speeding, observers noted several other unsafe behaviours by various road users. We saw some motorists with the cellphones in hand, parents dropping their children off on the street side rather than the sidewalk side, multiple pedestrians (both children and adults) failing to cross at designated crosswalks, and cyclists riding on the sidewalk or unsafely between vehicles and against the flow of traffic.  

Methodology 

Observations in Candiac took place on August 22, September 5, and September 19, and the speed of 180 vehicles was recorded using a radar speed detector. In Québec, observations took place on August 21, September 4, and October 3, and 311 vehicles were recorded using the same device. In both cases, the speed detector was operated by a road safety expert from the CAA-Quebec Foundation. 

About CAA-Quebec 

CAA-Quebec offers a wide range of assistance services in a wide variety of sectors, drawing on a human approach. As a socially committed organization, CAA-Quebec strives on a daily basis to protect the interests of its members. And in keeping with its values of reliability and benevolence, it fosters responsible consumption and promotes road safety. 

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