As students gear up for a new school year, many parents are feeling the stress of navigating crowded school zones and worrying about their children’s safety. A recent survey by CAA South Central Ontario (SCO) highlights the growing concerns among Ontario parents regarding traffic congestion and dangerous driving behaviors around schools.
The survey found that a significant majority of parents, eight out of ten, believe that traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up times has been worsening year after year. Additionally, 83% of parents reported witnessing unsafe driving practices in their child’s school zone.
Lauren Fisher, the manager of government relations at CAA SCO, emphasizes the importance of ensuring children’s safety on the roads. She notes that the rise in traffic volume in school areas poses a serious risk to young pedestrians and cyclists. Many parents opt to drive their children to school due to concerns about distance, convenience, and traffic safety.
According to the survey, 63% of parents consider their child’s school zone to be “very unsafe,” a notable increase from previous years. Commonly reported unsafe driving behaviors include speeding, improper stops, and double parking. To address these issues, parents are in favor of implementing stricter safety measures in school zones, such as enhanced enforcement and penalties.
The survey also revealed that parents support initiatives like reducing speed limits in school zones, with nearly half suggesting a maximum speed of 30km/h. Many parents also see the value of installing automated Speed Enforcement cameras as an effective deterrent to unsafe driving in school areas.
Conducted online in May 2025 by DIG Insights, the survey gathered responses from 1,511 Ontario parents and guardians with children in kindergarten to grade 8. With a confidence level of 95%, the margin of error for this research is +/-2%.