The safety of children is important to everyone in our community. Pedestrian activity is traditionally more prevalent in proximity to schools, particularly during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.
City of St Catharines parking enforcement officers attend school patrols regularly and are assigned to schools at the request of neighbours, school administrators, and parent councils.
The parking enforcement officer’s role is to ensure that parking and traffic regulations are followed, which improves safety for everyone.
If you choose to transport a student to school, please remember to drive safely, and not just in front of the school. Children are unpredictable and may be difficult to see as they walk or bike to school.
Here are some additional safety tips driving a student to school:
- Plan ahead and allow enough time to get the student to school.
- Obey all parking and traffic regulations.
- Do not double park and minimize idling.
- Do not park in or block private driveways. Confirm with business owners if you can use their parking.
- Obey crossing guards and do not proceed until the crossing guard has cleared the roadway.
- Stop for school buses when the lights are flashing and stop arm is out.
- When possible, pick up and drop off students on the school side of the street to avoid having to cross the street.
- Yield to children walking and biking around the school.
- Pay attention. Do not text or use your phone while driving.
Parking regulations around schools:
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No Parking |
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A vehicle can stop in these areas to drop off and pick up school children. It does not allow a driver to arrive 15 minutes before school is dismissed and wait for their child. In many cases, the no parking areas around schools are for specific periods of time such as from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. No parking areas are normally located where it is safest to momentarily stop a vehicle to drop off and pick up children. |
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No Stopping |
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No stopping signs are likely to be found at intersections, school crossing guard locations or crosswalks where there is a high concentration of students crossing the street. Drivers who park in these areas are jeopardizing the safety of students walking to and from school. |
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Fire Routes |
| Fire routes are allocated to help St. Catharines Fire Services and Niagara Emergency Medical Services access buildings quickly in the event of an emergency. Blocking these routes, even to drop off or pick up students, is dangerous for everyone. |
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Quick Drop Off Area |
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These areas have been designed to make pick-up and drop-off at school as quick and efficient as possible. The quick drop off area(s) may still be part of a fire route (see above). Please do not park or leave your vehicle unattended in a quick drop off area. Doing your part to ease congestion and keep traffic flowing during drop off and pick up time(s) creates a safe environment for all those required to access the area. Adhering to the appropriate dismissal times can help with maintaining the fire route clear at all times. Arriving early and waiting in the quick drop off area(s) creates congestion and obstructs the fire route. |
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School Bus Loading Zone |
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These signs allow school buses to stop in these designated areas. Private vehicles are not allowed to stop in these areas. In most cases, school bus loading zones are in place due to an ongoing conflict with private vehicles. Due to a shortage of curb space, there isn’t always enough room for both private vehicles and buses. When private vehicle operators use the school bus loading zones to load or unload passengers, this results in the bus stopping in the middle of the road while waiting for the private vehicles to leave the designated school bus loading zone. As a result, the streets become more congested and student safety is reduced. |
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School Crossing Areas |
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You cannot stop or park within this area for any reason including picking up or dropping off students. Sightlines for students crossing the street must be maintained. Drivers who stop within a school crossing area create a serious hazard for the children and the school crossing guard. |
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| No Stopping | No Parking | Fire Route | |
| Is waiting allowed? | No | No | No |
| Can I stop and park momentarily to walk my child in or deliver packages to the door? | No | No | No |
| Can I stop momentarily while remaining in my car to let my passengers out? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Penalty for violation | $48 | $30 | $80 |