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.
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—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 & 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
- 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 these 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.
What the School Patrol Program does
The School Patrol Program helps improve safety in school zones by focusing on 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.
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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
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 needs extra care
Winter conditions make school zones more challenging. Snowbanks, icy roads and reduced visibility mean safe parking is even more important.
During 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.
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 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.
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.
