Safer routes help students start school year with confidence

With students heading back to classes and school loading zones about to get busier, The City of Calgary has completed safety upgrades at 50 schools in 2026 across the city to help make daily commutes safer for children and families.

The upgrades include new pedestrian crossings, curb extensions, speed cushions and other traffic-calming measures designed to slow vehicles, improve visibility and reduce risk in areas where students are walking, wheeling and crossing the street.

“These improvements are about creating safer, more comfortable routes for students and their families,” said Traffic Engineer Surendra Mishra. “Whether children are walking to school, riding a bike or arriving with their parents, every improvement helps reduce risk and increases awareness for everyone using the road.”

The work includes proven safety improvement measures such as curb extensions and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at schools across Calgary. Curb extensions shorten crossing distances and make pedestrians more visible to approaching drivers. Studies have shown that curb extensions help to reduce collisions by 30-45 per cent. RRFBs improve drivers’ yielding compliance to pedestrians resulting in 30-40 per cent collision reduction. When these treatments are combined, safety at an intersection improves dramatically, resulting in 70-80 per cent collision reduction.

In addition to pedestrian-focused improvements, traffic-calming measures have been added near dozens of schools. New speed cushions and speed humps were installed at 17 schools in 2026 to help slow traffic in playground zones and residential areas, encouraging safer driving behaviour where children are most likely to be present. Results have indicated that speed cushions result in an average of 7 km/h speed reduction on a 50 km/h roadway.

This work supports Vision Zero and reflects The City’s continued partnership with the Calgary Police Service to make streets safer and save lives. Together, education, enforcement and street improvements help reduce vehicle speeds, increase driver awareness and create a more predictable environment for everyone.

“With more traffic on the roads this time of year, there is an increase in risk especially to young pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users,” said Calgary Police Service Insp. Robbie Patterson. “Drivers need to be especially vigilant around schools and playground zones. Not only does that mean slowing down, but it also means paying attention to the task at hand and avoiding all distractions including phones or anything else that could take your eyes of the road.”

Parking behaviour is also a key part of playground zone safety. Through the School Patrol Program, Parking Safety and Compliance officers support safer drop-off and pick-up times by educating drivers, encouraging voluntary compliance and addressing unsafe parking behaviours that can reduce visibility or create risk for children and other road users.

“Playground zones are busiest when families are under pressure and that is when safe parking choices matter most,” said Todd Sullivan, Coordinator, Parking Safety and Compliance, Mobility, The City of Calgary. “Through our School Patrol program, our officers are there to educate drivers, answer questions and reinforce the behaviours that keep children visible, including keeping crosswalks, corners, bus zones and no-stopping areas clear. Education comes first, but when unsafe parking puts people at risk, enforcement is one of the ways we help protect students and keep school zones safer for everyone.”

As the school year begins, drivers are reminded to slow down, stay alert and watch for children near schools, playgrounds and residential streets. Parents and caregivers can also help by reviewing safe travel routes with their children and allowing extra time for trips during the busy first weeks of school.

“Back to school means our streets are busier, with more children walking, wheeling and crossing roads every day,” said Jacquelyn Oriold, Safety Education Programs Manager. “The City has made significant investments to improve safety around schools, but infrastructure is only part of the solution. The simple choices we make behind the wheel, such as slowing down, staying focused, parking safely and keeping crossings clear, make a real difference. Kids deserve to get to and from school safely, and their lives are in your hands.”

Courtesy: The City of Calgary Newsroom