File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

SAFE SCHOOL STREETS

Kamloops DPAC extends safety push to limit vehicle traffic near schools

Feb 9, 2026 | 4:54 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) is joining a national group of communities taking part in a program intended to limit vehicle traffic near schools.

The Kamloops DPAC is the only parent-run organization taking part in this program.

“The $20,000 grant means we can do some great data collection. We’re hoping to build this program and, hopefully, create an annual event that circulates from one school to the next,” said Bonnie McBride, the DPAC chair. 

According to a 2017 survey from the government of Canada, 74 per cent of students in Grades 6 to 10 are driven in a vehicle to get to school, while only 26 per cent walk or bike to school. McBride says the health benefits for children and their parents can be noticeable.

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“We are a very vehicle-dependent society. When we build schools and change our neighbourhoods around, we end up becoming more and more dependent on single-student-per-car drop=off scenarios. More than anything, it’s building an awareness of different ways that kids can arrive at school,” said McBride.

Roads will be blocked two times a day – once in the early morning and once after school, allowing students to leave the school area safely. McBride says these future events will bring more attention to school zone speed limits.

“We have had some significant issues in the last couple of years when we have had children hit at crosswalks by cars. We have issues with speeding in school zones. The more awareness we can build and the more support we can give families on how they can get to school in alternative ways, the better,” said McBride.

DPAC is in talks with SD73 and is looking to implement this program in the fall this year or spring next year.