Be “Back-to-School” Safe

As families across Calgary get ready for the return to school, City teams and the Calgary Police Service are working behind the scenes to make sure students get there safely.

Over the past two years, the City has completed or nearly completed safety improvements at more than 50 schools, with more upgrades planned for 2026. These measures include:

• Curb extensions (temporary and permanent)
• In-street pedestrian signs and enhanced signage
• Sidewalk connections
• Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs)

You’ll also see the City’s Traffic Safety Team near schools this fall — talking with parents, waving to students, and reminding drivers to slow down. Their presence isn’t just about enforcement; it’s about connection and care for kids’ safety.

But infrastructure and officers alone can’t solve the problem. Everyone who drives, walks, wheels, or bikes has a role to play. Slowing down, putting distractions away, and being patient on the roads are small actions that can save lives.

Calgary Police continue to see concerning behaviour in playground zones. Since 2020, officers have recorded speeds as high as 105 km/h in posted 30 km/h zones, with two others clocked at 100 km/h. The majority of speeding tickets fall in the 10–20 km/h over range. These numbers are a sobering reminder of why extra caution is so important in school and playground areas.

Parking behaviour is another focus. The City’s Parking Safety and Compliance Team is working to educate drivers about safe drop-off and pick-up habits. Unsafe actions like double-parking, blocking crosswalks, or stopping in “no-stopping” zones create unnecessary risks for children. Simple steps like parking legally, avoiding drop-off zones, and following signage make a meaningful difference.

Meanwhile, upgrading infrastructure around schools remains a top priority. More than 400 in-street pedestrian signs have already been installed across the city. Temporary curb extensions — which shorten crossing distances, improve sightlines, and calm traffic — are gradually being replaced with permanent installations. Permanent extensions come with added benefits:

• Improved pedestrian safety – Shorter crossing distances reduce exposure to traffic
• Better accessibility – Integrated curb ramps support wheelchair users, strollers, and mobility devices
• More efficient traffic management – Better sightlines and more flexible parking rules
• Lower long-term costs – Coordinated with road resurfacing to save money

These projects are part of the Active and Safe Routes to School program, launched in 2019. In partnership with Ever Active Schools, the City has worked with 61 schools so far, with 8–10 new schools joining every year. A key part of this work is the “school walkabout,” where students, parents, staff, police, and City officials walk school routes together to spot safety issues like congestion, missing sidewalks, or speeding drivers. These walkabouts have led to hundreds of improvements in the past six years.

Whether you’re walking your child to school, biking with friends, driving through a playground zone, or helping a neighbour cross the street, every action matters.

Learn how you can be part of the movement at Calgary.ca/ActiveSchools or Calgary.ca/besafe.