ICBC reports high risk for children during school commutes

ICBC has released data indicating that the commute to and from school is the riskiest part of a child's day. In September, crashes involving minors are 37% higher than the monthly average, with minors being more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash during their commute compared to other times of the day.

In British Columbia, three children die and 365 are injured annually from crashes while walking or biking. On Vancouver Island alone, 41 children are injured in such incidents every year.

To address these risks, ICBC’s road safety team is partnering with police and Speed Watch volunteers to monitor driving speeds and enforce school zone speed limits this September. BC Attorney General Niki Sharma emphasized the importance of making streets around schools safer, noting that drivers must remain cautious due to the unpredictability of children around traffic.

Standard safety regulations include a 30 km/h speed limit in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days, and in playground zones from dawn to dusk every day. Drivers are also reminded to stop for school buses with flashing lights.