#SlowDownSquamish

Did you know? 370 children are injured each year in B.C. while walking or cycling. Obey the 30-kilometre school zone speed limit and take your time as we head back to school on Tuesday, September 6. 

A school zone speed limit of 30 kilometres is in effect during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on any school day, beginning September 6. 

Drivers are reminded to slow down, avoid stopping or parking in designated No Parking areas, keep bike lanes clear, watch for children and always remain focused on the road, especially in and around school zones.

School Zone Hours:

School zone hours are in effect as of Tuesday, September 6 at 7:30 a.m. The hours reflect the times of day where students can be in the vicinity of the school, taking into account before/after school care, after school activities and playground activity.

Safe Routes to School:

The District developed Best Routes to School maps for all the elementary schools in Squamish. Families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the recommended best routes, “Drive to 5” locations (areas located within a five-minute walk to school enabling caregivers to drop off or pick up students and avoid school traffic congestion), trails, marked crosswalks and pedestrian signals, and bus stops. Best Routes to School maps are available at squamish.ca/safe-routes. Hard copies of the community bike map are also available at the Adventure Centre and the Squamish Library.

Back to School Safety Tips for Drivers:

• Always look for pedestrians when backing up your vehicle.
• Obey the posted school zone speed limit of 30 kilometres between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on any school day.
• Avoid stopping or parking in designated No Parking areas.
• Keep bike lanes clear.
• Watch for school buses and stop when their lights are flashing.
• Always remain focused on the road and watch for children, especially in and around school zones.
• Leave a few minutes early to give your family enough time to arrive at school safely.
• If not going to a school, avoid school zones during drop-off and pick-up times (8:30 - 9 a.m. and 2 - 3:30 p.m.)
• Ensure you are parking legally – see squamish.ca/parking-regulations

Back to School Safety Tips for Parents:

• Always have your child exit the car on the side closest to the sidewalk
• Consider walking or biking to school with your child.
• Follow your school’s drop-off and pick-up procedures.
• Expect school zone congestion and give yourself extra time to safely get to school.
• Download Best Routes to School maps for Mamquam Elementary, Garibaldi Highlands Elementary, L’Ecole Squamish Elementary, Valleycliffe Elementary, Brackendale Elementary and Sea to Sky Learning Connections schools.
• Consider taking transit and familiarizing your family with the closest stops to your home and school.

SlowDown Facts:

• According to ICBC, 370 children are injured each year in B.C. while walking or cycling;
• Every year, 66 children are injured in crashes in school & playground zones in B.C.
• To promote safe routes to school, all school zones in Squamish are now in effect between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on all school days.