Safe parking around schools

Helping every student arrive and leave school safely—by parking the right way, in the right place.

School zones are busy places — especially during morning drop‑off and afternoon pick‑up. Children are walking, rolling and crossing streets while drivers are looking for quick places to stop. When parking rules aren’t followed, even for a short time, it can create real safety risks for kids and frustration for everyone nearby.

Safe parking in school zones isn’t about tickets. It’s about keeping sightlines clear, traffic moving and children safe during the busiest parts of the school day.

Why safe parking matters around schools

Unsafe parking — like blocking crosswalks, double‑parking or stopping in no‑parking zones — makes it harder for drivers to see children and for children to see cars. These behaviours increase the risk of close calls and collisions, especially during peak drop‑off and pick‑up times.

School zones are designed to protect children. Parking rules help:

keep crosswalks and corners visible,
reduce congestion and sudden stops,
support safer crossings for kids and families.

Every driver’s choice matters in a school zone.

Travel safe student video contest

Calling all student filmmakers (K–12)!

Create a 30-second video to help make Calgary’s streets safer—by walking, wheeling, riding, or parking safely around schools. Winners are showcased online and at a public screening at Central Library on Monday, April 27, 2026.

How to enter and rules:

Open to all Calgary students K–12 (individuals, classrooms, groups, or families)
Create a 30-second video on a safety topic:
- Safe Parking (as part of Pedestrian Safety): Show good vs. bad parking, interview crossing guards, use drawings or props to teach safe habits.
- Pedestrian safety (crosswalks, intersections).
- Distracted travel (driving, walking, wheeling).
- Bike/wheel safety (cycling, scooters, skateboards).
- Back-to-school traffic safety.
- Speed limits and why they matter.

Your videos can be funny, serious, live-action, stop-motion, animated, or any style you like!
Submit your video by April 15, 2026.
For inquiries about the contest, please contact StreetSafeKids@calgary.ca

Need help getting started? Check out the Helpful Tips.

Learn more about supporting safe parking and safer streets in school zones for your travel safe student video contest videos today.

Prizes & recognition:

Win great prizes and have your video showcased on City social media and at a public screening event at the Central Library in May.
All finalists will be celebrated at a special event with community partners.

Why participate?

Learn and model safe travel behaviours.
Influence your peers and community.
Help make Calgary’s streets safer for everyone.

Resources
Know your signs & rules (bylaws basics, fines, “what not to do” at schools).

Common parking mistakes to avoid near schools

These are the most common issues we see around schools during busy times:

Blocking crosswalks or corners
Parking too close to a crosswalk or intersection blocks sightlines. Drivers can’t see children stepping off the curb and children can’t see approaching vehicles.

Double‑parking
Stopping beside a parked vehicle forces traffic into oncoming lanes and puts children at risk when they step out between cars.

Stopping in no‑parking or no‑stopping zones
These areas are marked for a reason — often because visibility is limited or traffic needs to keep moving safely.

Stopping in travel lanes “just for a moment”
Even short stops can cause congestion and unpredictable driving behaviour around schools.

Every one of these rules helps keep sightlines clear, traffic flowing, and kids safe. When we park the right way—even if it means a few extra steps—we help every student get to and from school safely.

Learn more about the top parking mistakes to avoid near schools and how to park safely.

What the School Patrol Program does

The School Patrol Program helps improve safety in school zones by prioritizing education first.

Parking Safety & Compliance officers attend schools during busy drop‑off and pick‑up times to:

Remind drivers about safe and legal parking.
Explain why certain rules exist.
Answer questions from parents, caregivers, and school communities.

With over 150 elementary schools across the city, patrols can’t be everywhere every day. The program relies on shared responsibility — when everyone understands the rules and the reasons behind them, school zones are safer for all.

The School Patrol Program will run from September 2025 to June 2026

These numbers reflect the cumulative work last updated January 2026.

250 - School visits

Parking Safety & Compliance Officers were on the ground at schools across Calgary, providing visible presence during busy drop‑off and pick‑up times.
501 Compliance advisories

Officers focused on education first—reminding drivers about safe, legal parking and helping families understand the rules before unsafe behaviour escalates.
339 Tickets issued

When parking behaviour created safety risks or continued after warnings, officers took enforcement action to protect children, pedestrians and other road users.

More school parking tips

Education first

Enforcement when safety is at risk

The goal of School Patrol is to prevent unsafe situations before they happen.

Officers start with conversation, reminders, and guidance.

Enforcement may be used when:

Parking behaviour creates a safety risk.
Illegal parking continues after education and warnings.

This approach helps build safer habits over time while keeping the focus on children’s safety.

Winter parking

Winter conditions make school zones more challenging. Snowbanks, icy roads, and reduced visibility mean safe parking is even more important.

During the winter months:

Sightlines are harder to maintain.
Stopping in the wrong place can block visibility entirely.
Children may slip or take longer to cross.

Planning ahead, parking legally, and keeping crossings clear helps reduce risks when conditions are tough.

Resources

Winter driving and parking conditions can change quickly. Snow and ice clearing helps improve safety, but visibility and road conditions can still vary from street to street — especially around schools.
For the latest information to help you plan ahead and park safely, check out these City resources:

Staying informed helps keep sightlines clear, crossings accessible, and everyone safer during the winter months — especially children travelling to and from school.

School zones safety

Small choices make a big difference:

Follow posted parking signs, even if it means walking a short distance.
Keep crosswalks, corners, and travel lanes clear.
Leave a little earlier to avoid rushing.
Talk to your children about safe crossing and parking behaviour.
Encourage your children to participate in the travel safe student video contest. and share more about safe parking in school zones impacts pedestrian safety.

Students notice what adults do — safe parking sets a positive example.

A shared responsibility

Every child deserves a safe trip to and from school. The School Patrol Program supports families, schools, and communities by encouraging safer parking habits that protect children during the busiest times of the day.

When we all do our part, school zones become calmer, safer, and easier for everyone to navigate.

Why is parking around schools such a big issue in Calgary?

School zones are some of the busiest places on our streets — especially during drop‑off and pick‑up. When drivers park illegally or stop where they shouldn’t, it creates blind spots, blocks safe paths, and increases the risk for children crossing the street. Even short stops can have a big impact during peak times.

Is the School Patrol Program just about issuing tickets?

No. School Patrol is built on an education‑first approach. Parking Safety & Compliance Officers focus on conversation, reminders and guidance before enforcement. Tickets are used only when unsafe or illegal parking continues and safety is at risk.

Why do officers sometimes ticket parents who are just trying to drop off their kids?

We know mornings can be rushed and stressful. Officers prioritize education and voluntary compliance, but when parking behaviour puts children at risk — such as blocking crosswalks, stopping in traffic lanes, or parking too close to corners — officers have a responsibility to act to prevent harm. The goal is prevention, not punishment.

What should I do if I’m running late for drop-off or pick-up?

We understand mornings can be hectic. Please plan ahead and leave extra time to find legal parking. Rushing often leads to unsafe choices that put children at risk. Consider walking a short distance or using active travel options.

Why are officers issuing tickets instead of warnings?

Our officers prioritize education and voluntary compliance. However, in high-risk areas or repeat violations, enforcement is necessary to ensure safety.

Does School Patrol visit every school every day?

With more than 150 elementary schools across Calgary, patrol teams can’t be everywhere every day. The program prioritizes high‑risk locations and responds to community concerns, while encouraging shared responsibility from drivers, families, and school communities.

What if I feel I was unfairly ticketed?

If you believe you received a parking ticket in error, you can request an administrative review or appeal. If no administrative review is requested and the ticket remains unpaid, it will become a Violation Ticket within 30 to 40 days from the date it was issued.