School zones: Slight improvement, but still too many high-risk behaviours

Press release
Published on October 16, 2024

Once again, CAA-Quebec’s road safety specialists posted around nine schools in the province found there’s still much to be done to reduce problem behaviour in school zones. In total, 416 high-risk behaviours and Highway Safety Code violations were observed in the hour before school started, about 2% less than in 2023. 

Despite that slight improvement, every behaviour they noted shows how we need to keep hammering away to get the message home. Scale the numbers up to the provincial level and you get thousands of openings for disaster every morning.  

At least four schoolchildren were hit by cars in and around school zones in the spring of 2024, including one fatality—a child who was killed getting off a school bus.  

 “We can still do something to alleviate the morning chaos around schools. We just need everyone to take responsibility. Together, we have the power to do better and prevent tragedy in school zones.” 

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​​—André Durocher, Director, Community Relations and Road Safety​  

Detailed findings  

Of the 416 high-risk behaviours recorded at these nine Quebec schools, 155 involved speeding, a decrease of just under 28% compared to 2023. “That was an interesting finding,” said Durocher. By slowing down in school zones, drivers give themselves much more time to react when something happens.” 

It seemed that new developments around some schools generated some unacceptable situations, with a number of motorists dropping their children off in what were now no-stopping zones. It all added 64 unsafe or illegal vehicle exits to the total.  

Discouragingly, we found that a number of dangerous behaviours had increased significantly: 

  • Children crossing roads without supervision or at unsafe or illegal locations (35 occurrences, up 119% compared to 2023) 

  • Failure to comply with road signage (36 occurrences, up 71% compared to 2023) 

  • Hand cell phone use or texting while driving (6 occurrences, 50% increase compared to 2023) 

  • Failure to comply with rights-of-way (20 occurrences, 11% increase compared to 2023) 

Note however the very encouraging results of the new drop-off patrol at École Saint-Marcel in Pointe-aux-Trembles. Half as many speeding incidents were observed around the school this year compared to last year.  

Some additional data on high-risk behaviours: 

  • 345 (83%) were observed in motorists, the same proportion as in 2023 

  • 42 (just over 10%) were observed in parents, up from 2023 

  • 9 (just over 5%) were observed in school bus drivers, a big drop from the 23 observed in 2023. 

Methodology 
The CAA-Quebec Foundation conducted spot checks on motorists in nine school zones, considering specific hazards such as speeding, compliance with signage, and dangerous behaviours. Observations were made on October 15, 2024, as children were arriving at school in the morning. Schools were located in the regions of Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec, and Chaudière-Appalaches. Data available on request.  

About CAA-Quebec

CAA-Quebec offers a wide range of assistance services in a variety of sectors by drawing upon a human approach. Socially committed, the organization strives on a daily basis to defend the interests of its members. And in keeping with its values of reliability and benevolence, it fosters responsible consumption and promotes road safety. 

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