Students head back to school this week and more young people will be on the roads, walking and cycling. Drivers will need to once again watch for school speed zones and now will also need to follow B.C.'s safe passing law.
Every year in B.C., three children are killed and 359 children are injured in crashes while walking or riding their bike, with 51 of these injuries taking place in school and playground zones. In the Southern Interior, two children walking or cycling are killed and 33 children are injured in crashes every year, with six of these injuries taking place in school and playground zones. In the North Central Region, five youth are killed and 348 are injured on average each year.*
A new safe passing law aimed at helping to keep vulnerable road users safe came into effect in B.C. on June 3, 2024. Drivers must now take proper precautions around cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users on public roads. This means slowing down if needed and passing with caution and giving adequate space as well as using safe following distances.
Drivers are asked to give vulnerable road users as much space as possible when following and passing. On highways 50 km/h or less, drivers must give at least 1 m of space and on highways with speeds over 50 km/h, drivers must allow for 1.5 m. The only exception to the new rule is if the vulnerable road user is on a protected bike lane or sidewalk.
If you cannot pass safely, then slow down to the speed of the vulnerable road user, stay back and give them space until you can pass safely.
If it is safe to do so, you can cross over a single or double yellow centre line to provide a vulnerable road user as much space as possible when passing, using your signal to alert other road users.
Other key things to keep in mind as students head back to school:
A 30 km/h speed limit is in effect in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m on school days. In playground zones, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect every day from dawn to dusk.
When school bus lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop.
When encountering a stopped vehicle ahead, remember, they may be yielding to a pedestrian, and be prepared to stop.
Distracted and inattentive driving is a leading cause of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists, leave your phone alone.
Check around your vehicle to make sure there are no small children hidden from view and look for pedestrians when backing up.
Use your headlights, and ensure brake, and turn indicator lights are clear, visible, and in good working condition at all times.
Look for signs of kids playing such as a nearby ball or hockey net in residential areas. Slow down and watch for children when in residential zones.
Tips for parents and caregivers
Children should exit the car on the side closest to the sidewalk. Don’t stop in a no parking or no stopping area or block a crosswalk, as this can prevent drivers from seeing children as they’re walking and put their safety at risk.
Teach your child to walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk away from the road, so they’re further away from traffic. If there isn’t a sidewalk, they can walk facing oncoming traffic, so they can see approaching vehicles.
Teach your child to stay focused on their surroundings while walking, cycling, or riding a scooter, and to listen for traffic and scan for approaching vehicles.
Bright clothes and reflective gear can help make vulnerable road users more visible.
* Crash and injury data are five year averages based on 2018 to 2022 data reported by ICBC. Fatal averages and school/playground zone injury averages are based on 2017 to 2021 police-reported data.
