Well, it’s official. September is in full swing and a brand new school year is well underway! Crazily, we only have another week and a half before the fall season begins. With so many students returning to school, all across Greater Vancouver, the roads have been noticeably busier as of late. Unfortunately, this makes them a little more dangerous.
Congestion surges during school pick-up and drop-off times.
Most school days get going around 8:30 or 9 in the morning and end around 3 or 3:30 in the afternoon. Naturally, these points in the day represent drop-off and pick-up times respectfully. That means that traffic, in and around school areas, significantly picks up. Unfortunately, not every driver is particularly patient during these tasks.
As reported by OHS Canada Magazine, CAA research has found that “more than eight in 10 parents (82%) have witnessed dangerous driving behaviours in school zones…And more than half (55%) consider the roads around their child’s school to be unsafe.”
Driving in school zones is reportedly poor.
Although school buses are widely known for transporting children to and from schools, the majority of students receive rides from Mom and Dad. It stands to reason that many parents are in rushes to drop the kids off and head to work during the morning rush hours. Unfortunately, this makes for some dangerous driving. A recent survey of 800 adults by the British Columbia Automobile Association found that most British Columbians have witnessed dangerous driving in school zones.
“It asked respondents to share the driving behaviours they saw most often in school zones during the 2024/25 school year,” reports Emily Joveski for My Grand Forks Now, “BCAA said 91 per cent reported seeing people driving over the speed limit in school zones, while 84 per cent witnessed distracted driving. Over 80 per cent of respondents said they saw drivers not stopping for students at marked crosswalks or pedestrian bump-outs in school zones.”
New and inexperienced drivers add unpredictability to traffic flow.
Let’s not forget that some students drive to school themselves. High school, college and university students are also on the road with greater frequency these days. In many cases, they may be more easily distracted, less experienced and less aware of evolving school-zone protocols.
It’s vital, of course, to follow the rules of the road and take extra precaution at schools. Among its many other pieces of excellent advice, Rates.ca insists that drivers do not pass other vehicles in school zones. “Passing another vehicle typically involves speeding up, which is a big no-no in a school zone,” warns the site, “Likewise, do not make a U-turn or three-point turn since these manoeuvres can catch kids off guard.”
At MyDDride, we take the worry away from your morning.
Our luxury designated driver service ensures you and your family arrive safely, especially on school mornings when traffic is thick. Let us drive you home in your own vehicle, with a support “chase car” following. That way, you and your loved ones can stay calm, focused and safe. As always, your safety is our priority.
Let’s work together on ensuring safe school years all throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Coquitlam and Fraser Valley. Call or text MyDDride at 604-283-8532 or visit our Contact page to schedule your designated driver today!