Safe parking around schools
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.
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.
About the School Patrol program
The School Patrol Program helps improve safety in school zones by focusing on education first.
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
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. 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.
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School visits 282
Parking Safety & Compliance Officers were on the ground at schools across Calgary, providing visible presence during busy drop‑off and pick‑up times.
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Compliance advisories 659
Officers focused on education first—reminding drivers about safe, legal parking and helping families understand the rules before unsafe behaviour escalates.
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Tags issued 500
When parking behaviour created safety risks or continued after warnings, officers took enforcement action to protect children, pedestrians and other road users.
From September 2025 - February 2026
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.
How you can help keep school zones safe
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 annual 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.
The Parking Safety Superstar booklet teaches kids how to spot unsafe parking and helps them remind adults to follow the parking rules — all in a fun and easy way.
Frequently asked questions
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?
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.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.
