National School Safety Week
October 17–23, 2026
Safe Trips Start Before the School Day Begins
Whether children walk, wheel, cycle, ride the bus or travel by car, every journey to and from school should be safe.
This National School Safety Week, the Canada Safety Council highlights the shared responsibility of families, schools, municipalities and drivers to create safer school travel for every child.
What You Can Do
Choose the advice that applies to your role in a child’s journey to and from school.
Drivers
- Slow down in school zones and stay alert.
- Put away distractions before entering school areas.
- Stop for school buses and watch carefully for children crossing.
- Never pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk or school crossing.
- Give pedestrians and cyclists extra space.
Parents & Caregivers
- Practice the route before children travel independently.
- Use marked crossings whenever possible.
- Help children stay visible with bright clothing or reflectors.
- Park a short distance away to reduce congestion at school entrances.
- Model safe road behaviour every day.
Schools & Communities
- Review safe pick-up and drop-off procedures with families.
- Identify hazards such as blocked crosswalks, illegal parking and unsafe turning movements.
- Encourage active school travel where appropriate.
- Work with local partners to improve safety around schools.
Why It Matters
Many of the greatest risks occur outside the classroom, where distracted driving, speeding, congested pick-up areas and poor visibility can quickly turn routine moments into dangerous ones.
Active school travel
More than 30% of children and youth aged 5–17 reported walking, biking or using other active ways to get to school.
Source: Health InfoBase
School zone risks
In a poll by the Canadian Automobile Association, 30% of drivers reported witnessing a near miss or collision in a school zone.
Source: CAA polling
“A safe school day starts before the first bell rings and continues until every child is home. Children are smaller, less predictable and still learning how to judge traffic. By slowing down, staying alert and putting safety first, every Canadian can help make the journey to school safer.”
Gareth Jones, President and CEO
Canada Safety Council
Creating safer school travel does not require one big change. It starts with everyday decisions that help every child arrive safely at school, and return home safely.
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