School zones: as many as seven high-risk behaviours every minute

These were the findings reported by a dozen road safety specialists from CAA-Quebec on Thursday, October 26, as they toured nine of the province’s schools. All in all, 425 risky behaviours or breaches of the Highway Safety Code were witnessed in the very hour before the start of classes. Non-compliance with speed limits, crosswalks and traffic signs: these were just a few of the punishable behaviours observed that put children at serious risk.

425… This translates into 7 misconducts committed every minute during the daily morning rush. These findings prove that raising awareness of the importance of road safety is a message that bears repeating over and over again. CAA-Quebec and its Foundation reiterate the importance of sharing the road, and even more so when vulnerable road users are involved. A situation can quickly escalate into chaos in school zones, and as such, parents, children, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. all need to work together and abide by the rules.

Since we all have a different way of experiencing our mobility, CAA-Quebec has been working with a number of partners to promote road safety awareness among young and old alike, notably through its school safety patrol program, which has been operating in schools across the province for nearly 95 years.

“Our children represent our future. We must exercise vigilance, show extra caution and, by all means, respect the speed limits to ensure their safety on the road, particularly in school zones.”

– Marco Harrison, Director of the CAA-Quebec Foundation

Observation results in detail

Of the 425 high-risk behaviours recorded in the province’s 9 schools, 214 offences, i.e. 50%, were speed-related. These were observed both upon approach to and within the school zone and were committed by drivers of motor vehicles (cars, trucks, and buses).

Moreover, it should be noted that these offences were committed despite the clear presence of signage, including blinking signs announcing the 30 km/h zone.

Other dangerous behaviours

CAA-Quebec observed a number of other high-risk behaviours. Among them: failure to obey road signs, adult crossing guards’ instructions, non-compliance with right-of-way rules, non-use of turn signals, use of mobile phones while driving, non-use of seat belts, and unsafe or unauthorized dropping off of children.

These risky behaviours involve a variety of road users:

• 352 (83%) were committed by motorists;
• 48 (slightly more than 10%) were committed by active mobility users (pedestrians, cyclists, scooter users);
• 25 (nearly 6%) were committed by parents; and
• 23 (just over 5%) were committed by school bus drivers.

It’s high time to improve the situation

Earlier this year, the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility unveiled her road safety action plan for 2023–2028, a move warmly welcomed by CAA-Quebec. The 2022 road safety record showed the highest number of road fatalities in 10 years. CAA-Quebec and its Foundation expect concrete measures to be taken promptly, in particular with regard to safety in the vicinity of schools.

Methodology of observations

The CAA-Quebec Foundation carried out observations of motorists’ behaviours in the school zones of nine schools, analyzing specific criteria such as speed and compliance with traffic signs, dangerous behaviours and so forth. The observations were made on October 26, 2023, as the children arrived in the morning. Observations were conducted at schools in the following regions: Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches. These data are available on request.

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.

–30–