ICBC issues warning to drivers as children return to schools in September

ICBC has issued a warning to drivers across the province to slow down and be aware of their surroundings as children get ready to return to school. 

According to ICBC, getting to and from school is the riskiest part of a child’s day. 

Data indicates that minors are more than twice as likely to be involved in a collision during the morning and afternoon school commute periods.  

Furthermore, ICBC says the risk is increased in September, when collisions involving minors are 37% higher than the monthly average.

The Crown corporation has stated that this September, the ICBC road safety team will partner with speed watch volunteers and police in school zones throughout the province in an effort to deter speeding and keep children safe. 

“As students head back to classrooms throughout BC, keeping them safe on their journeys to and from school is a shared responsibility,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care. 

“Whether children are walking, cycling, taking the bus or being dropped off, we all play a role in creating safer school communities.”

Beare noted that by staying alert, obeying school zone speed limits and modelling safe road behaviours, drivers can help students get to school and back home safely.

ICBC encourages parents and caregivers to give children a road safety refresher before the school year begins. 

Those with children who plan on walking or cycling to school are encouraged to take time to practice the safe route together.

“The walk to school is often a child’s first step towards independence, and it should be a safe one,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. 

“Working with ICBC and local communities, we’re making the streets around schools safer for children, one crossing at a time. This is part of our work to build safer communities for families in BC’s biggest cities and smallest towns.”

Though the Province has invested over $1.5 million since 2001 in traffic safety measures around schools, the onus to keep children safe is ultimately up to drivers on the road. 

ICBC has provided the following tips for drivers in order to keep kids safe:

• Every school day, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless otherwise posted 
• In playground zones, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect every day from dawn to dusk
• Watch for school buses—when their lights are flashing, vehicles approaching both directions must stop
• Proceed with caution and be prepared to stop if a nearby vehicle stops as they may be yielding to a pedestrian
• Avoid distractions by leaving your phone alone while driving and watch for children walking, cycling or riding a scooter
• Ensure there are no small children hidden from view around a vehicle before driving
• Ensure headlights, brake and turn indicator lights are working, clear and visible 
• Look for signs of kids playing in residential areas 

ICBC also provided the following guidelines for parents and caregivers prior to the 2026-27 school year:

• Ensure children exit a vehicle on the sidewalk side when in a school zone
• Teach children the basics of crossing the street—stop at the curb, look left and right for oncoming vehicles, make sure all vehicles have stopped before crossing and make eye contact with drivers
• Teach children to walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk away from the road, so they’re further away from traffic
• Set a good example for children by crossing at intersections with a pedestrian crossing light or marked crosswalk, where possible
• Teach children to stay focused on their surroundings while walking, cycling or riding a scooter
• Ensure children are wearing bright colours if they will be outside at night or in poor weather
• Discourage play near or on railways

For children who will be riding an e-scooter to get to and from school, parents and caregivers are encouraged to teach them applicable Electric Kick Scooter Rules and Safety via the BC government website.