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By Aaron Schulze

Survey Says

BCAA survey shows most residents concerned of school zones being more dangerous

Sep 5, 2021 | 12:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The latest annual BCAA Back to School Driving Survey shows that 68 per cent of British Columbians expect school zones to be more chaotic as people get used to new drop-off and pick-up routines.

Additionally, 48 per cent believe that school zones will be more dangerous this year due to distracted driving, as many parents have more on their minds, adding worries about COVID-19 on top of the usual back to school rush.

“Back to school is always a frenzied time of year,” BCAA’s Director of Community Impact Shawn Pettipas says. “But this year, many parents are thinking through new work schedules, new school drop-off and pick-up routines, and COVID worries, which is a lot to distract them from driving safely,” says BCAA’s Director of Community Impact, Shawn Pettipas.

Pettipas adds that 68 per cent of British Columbians already witnessed dangerous distracted driving in school zones before the pandemic.

The BCAA Survey, conducted by Insights West, confirms that most British Columbians have become accustomed to seeing poor driving in school zones in pre-pandemic times. With 75 per cent of those surveyed witnessing speeding, 59 per cent seeing aggressive driving, and 68 per cent noting parent drivers not stopping at marked crosswalks.

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“I definitely feel myself juggling more stresses and worries this back-to-school season than before,” Pettipas says. “It’s so easy to say it, but we all work hard to keep our kids safe, and we need to find a way to stay extra focused behind the wheel.”

According the BCAA, an average of 72 schoolchildren in B.C. are injured by vehicles in school or playground zones every year.

Drivers are asked to build extra time into their daily routine to prevent rushing, know the school’s drop-off and pick-up procedures, pay close attention to traffic rules, and reduce congestion by parking and walking their children into the school zone.

Parents can view more school zone safety tips online.