Back to School in Hamilton: Road Safety Reminders

HAMILTON, ON – It’s back to school next week, and the streets and sidewalks will be busy with young children and their families heading out for their first day. The City of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Services are reminding the community to be watchful to ensure the safety of our youngest residents as they travel to and from school.

The City and Hamilton Police want to reinforce the importance of taking extra safety precautions during commutes and travel in Hamilton. The City has been reducing speed limits on a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood basis and is implementing other safety measures as part of its Vision Zero goal to eliminate serious injury and fatalities for all motorists.

Safety Precautions

• Motorists are reminded to be aware of flashing school signs and posted speeds of either 30 km/hr or 40 km/hr.
• Residents are reminded to adhere to posted signage during school pickups and drop-offs. 'No Stopping' and 'No Parking' zones are essential for pedestrian access and vehicle unloading.
• Drivers and pedestrians must follow the directions of crossing guards. If a school crossing guard is not at their usual location, call 905-546-2489 ext. 2200 immediately.
• Hamilton Municipal Parking System (HMPS) will continue parking enforcement around schools with a focus on locations with a high number of parking complaints and safety issues in previous years.

Active School Travel

• Active travel such as walking, cycling and wheeling can have a significant benefit on physical and mental health, academic performance and social connections.
• Those using active travel to get to school are reminded to be aware of motorists on the roads, follow light signals, crossing guard directions and avoid mid-block crossings.
• Residents who typically drive their children to school should consider changing to an active mode of travel. A major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause climate change comes from transportation and each individual can make a real difference in tackling the climate crisis.

HSR

• Students are encouraged to download the HSRnow app to plan their trip and arrive at their stop at least five minutes before their bus is scheduled to arrive.
• If students or parents witness or experience harassment, please “Speak Up, Speak Out” by reporting it to Hamilton Police. For emergencies or a crime in progress, call 911. For all non-emergencies, call 905-546-4925 or report online at www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca.
• For information about bus safety and more visit www.hamilton.ca/HSR.

Quick Facts:

• As a part of Vision Zero, the City has been reducing speed limits from 40 to 30 km/hr in school zones and from 50 to 40 km/hr in residential neighbourhoods across Hamilton as a part of the Neighbourhood Speed Limit Reduction Strategy.
• Vision Zero and back to school road safety reminders align with City Council’s priority to ensure a safe and thriving neighbourhood, and particularly improving mobility and road safety.
• 113 out of 134 elementary schools in Hamilton have school travel plans that focus on school infrastructure improvements, education, community mobilization encouragement and engineering improvements around school sites.
• All non-emergency roadway safety concerns can be reported by calling 905-546-CITY(2489).