Road Safety: Pedestrians

Make sure your children get to school safely!

Parents:

• Start a "walking school bus"! Find adult volunteers to walk neighbourhood children to school.
• Accompany children under 10 when cycling or walking. Children up to the age of 9 do not have the skills and abilities needed to be safe in traffic.
• Parents, are you a safety hazard? When you have to drive children to school, use the designated "drop off zone".
• Think about the dangers on your child's way to school, and plan a safe route.
• Teach children to play away from parked and moving cars.
• Teach your child to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN at all crossings and driveways.

Kids:

• Kids, stay out of the danger zone outside the bus! If you drop something, make sure the bus driver sees you before you pick it up.
• After getting off the school bus, wait for the bus driver, a patroller or parent to tell you it's safe to cross the street.

Road Safety
Active and Safe Routes to School

Road Safety: Passengers

Are your children riding safely?

• Safety from the word "go"
• First trip, every trip, buckle children up securely
• Be an example...buckle up too
• Safety checks across the country show as many as 80% of child car seats inspected are not installed correctly. Teach family and caregivers how to use your child's car seat correctly.
• Holding a baby in your arms provides no protection in a car crash.
• Children 12 and under are safest in the back seat.
• If your car has a passenger-side airbag, children must ride in the back seat properly buckled up.
• Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Always use the correct car seat for your child's height and weight.
• Booster seats are used for children 18-27 kg (40-60 pounds).
• Use a high-back booster seat correctly. Always use the lap and shoulder portion of the seat belt. Make sure second-hand seats are safe! Check with your local CAA office.

For more information on Safe Passenger Travel

Road Safety: Cycling

• Bike injuries can happen anywhere, anytime. Stay alert!
• A helmet must fit correctly to protect your head.
• Replace helmets at the first sign of damage. Second-hand bicycle helmets should not be used. Even a tiny crack makes it useless.
• Teach children how to adjust their helmets to fit snugly.
• No baseball caps, please. Helmets protect less if worn over a hat or bandana.
• Look for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) label inside the helmet.
• Make it a house rule - "Use a helmet for every trip!"
• Teach your kids the "rules of the road".
• Keep approved helmets near bikes and trikes so your children will always put them on.
• Set an example. Wear your helmet every time you ride!
• Small child? Small bike! Make sure it fits.

Canadian Standards Association

Rail Safety

• Always look in both directions before crossing train tracks. If the lights are flashing, wait.
• Never go around or under the gate arms! Several tracks could mean a second train.
• Walking or playing on train tracks is dangerous and illegal. Be smart, be safe–stay away!

Click here for Operation Lifesaver and more Railway Safety Tips