Back to school: Road safety reminder in Calgary & program expansion
Posted Aug 31, 2026 8:39 am.
Calgary’s new school year is underway and with more than 143,000 students back heading back to class, officials are busy reminding resident about safety in and around school.
The Calgary Board of Education has added 475 new teachers this year, and the first week of classes brings the usual mix of fresh routines, heavier traffic and busy school zones.
Chief Superintendent Joanne Pitman is urging drivers to slow down, stay patient and think deliberately about the choices that keep children safe each morning.
“We know people are trying to get to work on a school day, we need people to take a breath, take a moment and say, what do I want for my child or somebody else’s and let’s make sure we’re making good choices,” says Pitman.
That message is echoed by the Calgary Police Service, whose school resource officers say families should build safety conversations into their daily routine. Sgt. Leah Berti says awareness and preparation go a long way, especially as more than 1,300 school patrollers return to crosswalks across the city.
“We all have to be responsible for ourselves, and we all have to be aware,” she says. “We’re trying to get a message out to the parents that we all have a responsibility for safety and we all need to take those steps.”
The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) is also expanding its School Zone Safety Programs, designed for locations where traditional student‑patrolled crossings aren’t the right fit. These programs support drop‑off and pick‑up areas and help manage crossings within school drive lanes.
AMA’s Childhood Safety program manager, Carrie Herrick‑Fitzgerald, says parents, schools and even students are reporting challenges such as distracted driving and speeding.
Over the weekend, Calgary Police issued a list of road‑safety reminders for drivers:
- Don’t stop or park within five metres of a crosswalk.
- Don’t make U‑turns near schools; go around the block instead.
- Don’t park or stop in areas marked “no‑stopping.”
- Don’t walk out between cars; always use crosswalks.
- Don’t block bus zones, even if they appear clear.
- Don’t stop next to parked vehicles.
