Back to School Traffic Safety Tips

Students returning to school is just around the corner and the City of St. John’s offers the following traffic safety tips for pedestrians and motorists:

Pedestrians

• Plan a safe route to school
  • Parents are encouraged to discuss a safe route to school with their child to ensure they are following safe roadway crossing rules.
• Cross defensively
  • Parents should teach their children to ‘stop – look – and listen’ before they cross the street.
  • Look both ways to make sure vehicles have stopped – you may see them but they may not see you.
  • Never cross between parked cars.
• Cross at crosswalks
  • When crossing the street always use the painted crosswalks at an intersection where there is a traffic signal or stop sign or the nearest ‘zebra’ or ‘piano bar’ crosswalk. These are safer locations to cross and it will be easier for motorists to see you.
• Crossing at traffic signals

1. Look for pedestrian push buttons and use them. The ‘walk’ signal will not appear unless you do.
2. Cross only when the ‘walk’ signal appears. If the signal changes to ‘don’t walk’ after you begin, complete your crossing as there is enough time to do so safely.
3. Do not start to cross on the ‘don’t walk’.
4. Watch for turning vehicles
5. Walk briskly, but do not run.

• Pedestrian visibility
  • Pedestrians should wear fluorescent, brightly coloured or reflective materials on their clothes and/or backpacks to be more visible to drivers.

Motorists

• Watch your speed
  • Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in St. John’s is 50 km/hour. Be cautious in school areas and watch for children who may dart out unexpectedly.
• Respect no parking and no stopping areas
  • No stopping and no parking zones are designated areas where a stopped vehicle could obstruct the visibility of other vehicles and pedestrians which could result in a mishap.
  • Stop for pedestrians on crosswalks
  • Motorists are required to stop for pedestrians at a crosswalk. Pedestrian crosswalks are signed and painted with ‘zebra’ or ‘piano bar’ markings. Be prepared to stop and do not pass other vehicles on the approach to a crosswalk.
• Stop for school buses
  • Motorists must top for school buses in both directions when the lights are flashing.
• Prepare for the unexpected
  • Motorists should be cautious when driving near schools and playgrounds as children may enter the roadway suddenly. Respect the speed limits and prepare for the unexpected.

The City of St. John’s has several brochures available on traffic safety on our website.

For further information:
Access St. John’s
Phone: 311 or (709) 754-CITY (2489)