With the school year about to begin, a recent survey by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has uncovered concerning statistics. Findings show that 63% of parents feel their child’s school zone is very unsafe, and 8 out of 10 parents believe that traffic congestion around schools has worsened.
According to Lauren Fisher, Manager of Government Relations at CAA SCO, 83% of parents have witnessed dangerous driving behaviors in school zones, including speeding, illegal parking, and double parking.
In Scarborough, parents are not surprised by these results, as safety concerns near schools on Kingston Road have been raised. Jens Casten, a concerned parent, has been advocating for safety improvements for two years, pushing for more signage and a reduced speed limit in the area.
Casten emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting a previous incident where a child was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road. Following advocacy efforts, the bus stop was relocated to a safer spot.
Recently, Scarborough Southwest Coun. Parthi Kandavel successfully proposed reducing the speed limit on Kingston Road from 60 km/h to 50 km/h to enhance safety for students and families. However, there are calls for further action to address ongoing safety concerns.
Despite efforts to implement automated speed enforcement cameras in Toronto, Kandavel expressed disappointment that his ward did not receive any. He stressed the necessity of these cameras, especially in areas like Kingston Road with significant traffic risks.
The CAA survey also revealed that almost half of parents support lowering the speed limit in school zones to 30 km/h, citing it as a safer speed. The organization urges drivers to be vigilant, refrain from distractions, and always stop for school buses with flashing lights.