Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/754203
iStock WINTER 2016 BCA A .COM 33 drive smart AUTOMOTIVE Back of the Class How BC drivers can raise their grade in school zones BY IAN MacNEILL S chool zones are supposed to be sanctuaries for children where drivers slow down and scrupulously obey the rules of the road. However, a recent BCAA School Zone Safety Survey reveals they're anything but: speeding, hostility and ignoring road signage are all too common. And according to nearly half of survey respondents, the problem isn't just bad – it's getting worse. "We're seeing chaotic conditions in school zones during drop-off and pick-up times," says Shawn Pettipas, BCAA Manager of Community Impact Programs, adding that the survey was conducted to dig into perceptions and see how bad the problem really is. Results of the School Zone Safety Survey Parents and guardians are often rushed, which leads to unsafe choices about where to drop off their children. Fully 87 per cent of respondents have seen parents talking on cellphones or otherwise distracted, as well as children dropped off outside designated areas, where they must then run into oncoming traffic, or dart in between cars and school buses. Some of the other key findings, below: • 75% of respondents say they've seen "near misses," where a child was almost struck by a car. • 83% have witnessed parents and guardians speeding in school zones. • 80% have seen parents and guardians ignoring traffic signs and road rules. • 51% have seen hostile behaviour from parents and guardians, such as honking and profanity. • 82% have witnessed distracted driving by parents or guardians. • 88% have seen illegal parking. TIP! For more BCAA school zone safety pointers, visit our website: bcaa.com/ schoolsafety Making a change in BC school zones The best way to solve the problem and make school zones the sanctuaries they need to be, says Pettipas, is for all British Columbians, including parents and those just passing through, to examine their own behaviour: "If we can slow down and obey both street signage and the rules of the road we can reverse the trend and make school zones safer." Specifically, that means: • Following the posted speed limit. • Following schools' drop-off and pick-up procedures, including letting children in and out of the car at designated areas. • Teaching children how to safely get in and out of vehicles, cross the street and ride their bikes or walk to school. • Talking to school and parent committees about ways to address congestion. ■