Ottawa Drivers Are Speeding Through School Zones More Than Ever
Ottawa families have a reason to be concerned this spring: the City of Ottawa has confirmed that speeding in school zones is on the rise, and the numbers are hard to ignore.
According to data released by the City, drivers are routinely exceeding posted speed limits in areas designated as school zones — the very places where children are most vulnerable on foot or on bikes. The trend is raising alarms among city officials, school administrators, and parent groups across the capital.
What the Data Shows
While exact figures from the City's latest report weren't immediately available in full detail, the message from municipal officials is clear: too many Ottawa drivers are ignoring the reduced speed limits posted in school zones, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up hours when kids are most active near roads.
Automated speed enforcement cameras, which Ottawa has been deploying in school zones over the past few years, have captured a growing number of violations. The City has been expanding its photo radar program precisely because of concerns like these — but the latest data suggests the message still isn't getting through to enough drivers.
Why This Matters
School zones in Ottawa are set to a reduced speed limit for a reason. At 40 km/h — or lower in some areas — a vehicle that strikes a child has a dramatically better chance of that child surviving compared to a collision at highway speeds. Even a small reduction in speed can be the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
For parents walking kids to schools in neighbourhoods like Barrhaven, Kanata, Orleans, and the Glebe, the rise in speeding isn't just a statistic — it's something many say they witness every single day.
What the City Is Doing
Ottawa has been investing in automated speed enforcement as part of its Vision Zero road safety strategy, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Photo radar cameras in school zones have already generated thousands of tickets since their deployment, and the revenue is reinvested into road safety initiatives.
The City has also been working on physical road design changes — things like narrowed lanes, raised crosswalks, and additional signage — to naturally encourage slower driving near schools. But officials acknowledge that technology and infrastructure alone aren't enough. Driver behaviour has to change.
What You Can Do
If you're behind the wheel in Ottawa, the ask is simple: slow down near schools. Check your speed when you see the reduced limit signs — especially in the morning between 8 and 9 a.m. and again between 3 and 4 p.m. on school days.
And if you live near a school and have noticed repeat offenders, the City encourages residents to report dangerous driving patterns through 311 or Ottawa's road safety feedback channels.
Ottawa's kids deserve safe streets. That starts with drivers making the choice to slow down — every single time.
Source: CBC Ottawa / Google News Ottawa RSS feed
