Schools generate all types of road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, transit users) and concentrate them onto the surrounding street system in a manner that inevitably creates road safety conflicts and concerns.

The Safer School Travel (SST) program provides a step by step process to help elementary schools to identify their specific road safety issues, define priorities and create realistic solutions for addressing these issues through the development of a Road Safety Plan which encompasses strategies from three key perspectives: Engineering, Education and Enforcement.

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and school administrators at each school work collaboratively with key community partners - the City, RCMP, School District, local residents, and community associations - to develop their School Road Safety Plan. Consultation and research are key factors in the identification of the top road safety issues at each school.

The goal of Safer School Travel is to assist every elementary school in Kamloops to create their own School Road Safety Plans. A realistic and balanced approach to the planning process is key for the safety of children and the mobility of vehicles. The Safer School Travel program systematically helps the PAC sub-committee to address all issues, strategies and initiatives surrounding school travel in order to create a strong and efficient road safety plan.

Once a school has initiated the SST process, it typically takes about a year to complete.

In 2001, Heffley Creek and Ralph Bell elementary schools were selected to pilot the Safer School Travel program in Kamloops. Since then, Aberdeen, Dallas, Beattie, Parkcrest, David Thompson, Rayleigh, Arthur Hatton, Dufferin and Bert Edwards elementary schools have also gone through the Safer School Travel process, resulting in the development of unique School Road Safety Plans. A number of other elementary schools have recently come on board the Safer School Travel program.

For information on how your school can become involved with the Safer School Travel program,