Parents shouldn’t have to hold their breath every time their child walks to school
Students across Toronto have returned to school, and the City is doubling down on school zone safety. The focus is to protect kids and other vulnerable road users from pedestrian and bicycle accidents, so everyone can get where they’re going without worry.
Negligent drivers put children at risk
The most common dangers that exist in Toronto's school zones include:
- Speeding over 30 km/h in school zones raises crash risk and severity.
- Rolling stops, late braking, and failure to yield at crosswalks create close calls.
- Phone use, impatience, and sudden U-turns or lane changes trigger unsafe maneuvers.
- Double parking and stopping in no-stopping zones block sightlines and hide children.
- Turning across crosswalks or ignoring pedestrian head starts leads to pedestrian conflicts.
- Passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk or a school bus endangers kids.
- Visibility challenges from multi-lane roads, large-vehicle blind zones, parking lots, low light, or bad weather put walkers and students on bikes at risk.
"We are all responsible for making sure students get to and from school safely and confidently," said Mayor Olivia Chow. "Injuries and deaths on our roads are preventable, and we need to keep working hard toward Vision Zero and protecting vulnerable road users. When we combine safer road designs, engineering and technology with thoughtful behaviour from everyone using our streets, we help build a city where everyone can feel safe on our roads."
What changes is the city making for school zone safety?
The first week of school brings busy sidewalks, crowded crosswalks, and a lot of traffic near school doors. Small changes in speed or visibility can make a big difference when children are walking or biking. The City’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan seeks to eliminate serious injuries and deaths. This year’s updates put extra attention on school zones.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin joined TDSB Director of Education Clayton La Touche and Toronto Police Service Superintendent Matt Moyer at Owen Public School in North York. Their message was unified. Safer streets are everyone’s job. City staff, school leaders, police, and families all play a part. Below are the key changes that are impacting the city's school zones.
Crossing guard program
More than 900 trained crossing guards are now on duty at intersections across the city. Guards help children cross safely, calm traffic, and remind drivers to slow down. Their presence increases visibility at the exact moments kids need it most. Morning bell time and afternoon dismissal are covered so that parents can feel more at ease.
Designated School Safety Zones continue to roll out with clear signs, flashing beacons, zebra crosswalks, and bold pavement markings. These cues tell drivers they are near a school and should be alert. So far, 636 schools have received these upgrades, with 55 more scheduled by the end of the year. The goal is consistent, easy-to-see guidance for anyone behind the wheel.
Lower speed limits
Speed limits on all local roads and laneways are being set at 30 km/h. Lower speeds reduce stopping distance and lower the risk of severe injury if a crash occurs. Shaving a few seconds off a trip is never worth a child’s safety. When everyone follows the limit, crossings feel calmer, and drivers have more time to react.
Pedestrian head start signals
Pedestrian head start signals give people on foot a few seconds to enter the crosswalk before cars get a green light. That early start makes walkers more visible and reduces conflicts with turning vehicles. Toronto has installed these signals at nearly 1,600 intersections, including 244 added last year. It's a small adjustment that leads to clearer eye contact between drivers and pedestrians.
City safety guide
The City’s Safety Guide for School Children and Parents offers practical advice for walking, cycling, taking the bus, or driving to school. Families can use it to plan a safe route, talk through street smarts, and set expectations. Reviewing the guide together helps kids build confidence and gives parents simple, repeatable steps to follow each day.
What should drivers, parents, and students keep in mind during pickup and drop-off?
Patience matters most. Drivers should slow to 30 km/h on local roads, yield to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crossings, and follow directions from crossing guards. Avoid stopping in no-stopping zones, as this blocks sightlines for kids crossing the road. Parents can use designated loading areas, avoid double parking, and choose a meeting spot a block away to reduce curbside congestion. Students should use crosswalks, make eye contact with drivers, and wait for the guard’s signal before stepping into the road. Bright clothing or a backpack tag can boost visibility on darker mornings.
What are your legal options after a school zone accident?
Even with stronger safety measures in place, careless drivers can still cause devastating crashes in school zones. When a child is injured, families often face not only emotional trauma but also mounting medical bills, rehabilitation needs, and time away from work. Ontario law gives parents the right to pursue compensation from negligent drivers and their insurance providers.
Holding a driver accountable through a personal injury claim can help cover costs such as medical treatment, counseling, long-term care, and income replacement for parents who must take time off work. These cases also shine a light on unsafe driving behaviours, reinforcing the importance of protecting children on Toronto’s streets. By pursuing legal action, families not only seek the support they need but also push for safer communities.
Smitiuch Injury Law fights for families in Toronto
If you or a loved one was hit in a school zone while walking or riding a bike, Smitiuch Injury Law is ready to help. Our Toronto lawyers investigate the crash, secure video and witness evidence, deal with insurance companies, and map out the benefits and compensation you may be entitled to under Ontario law. We take on the heavy lifting so you can focus on your health.
During your free consultation, we'll listen to what happened, review police reports and medical information you have, explain Accident Benefits and lawsuit options, and outline a practical plan for the next steps in plain language. You will leave knowing where your case stands, what documents will help, and how timelines typically unfold.
We serve clients across the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Ontario, with offices in Toronto, Brantford, and Simcoe. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees upfront, and we don't get paid unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us online or call today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
"I highly recommend Smitiuch Injury Law to anyone in need of legal representation. Their professionalism and commitment to their clients are second to none. Thank you to everyone at Smitiuch Injury Law for your excellent service!" - Connor B., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
