Winnipeg councillor proposes 1-minute limit for school zones

Winnipeg Councillor Proposes School Drop-off and Pickup Standards

A Winnipeg city councillor is advocating for citywide standards for school drop-off and pickup zones. This includes a one-minute time limit for parents, which he believes could enhance safety around elementary schools.

Proposal Details

Markus Chambers, the St. Norbert-Seine River councillor, named his proposal a “stop, drop and go” program. It would require drivers to load or unload children within one minute in designated zones.

Chambers stated that residents in his south Winnipeg constituency raise this issue every fall when students return to school. The aim is to reduce congestion and unsafe behavior that can endanger students, school patrols, and pedestrians.

“What we want to see is an organized zone … [where] cars can stage and then enter the pickup and drop-off zone, and then have up to one minute to either load their children in, or have their children disembark to go to school,” Chambers said in an interview.

Concerns Raised

Chambers argues that many safety issues arise from vehicles lingering too long or making risky maneuvers, such as U-turns or double parking, during peak school hours. His motion will go to city council later this month. It also calls for clearer signage and increased enforcement by the Winnipeg Police Service and Winnipeg Parking Authority during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup times.

However, Alan Campbell, president of the Manitoba School Boards Association, urged caution. He warned that the plan could unintentionally make school zones more dangerous. Campbell said that while improving safety is a good goal, a strict time limit could pressure parents who are already rushed, especially in winter conditions.

Community Reactions

“The last thing we need is for people to actually feel rushed, by way of a one-minute deadline,” Campbell said. He added that this could lead to accidents if a child or pedestrian slips. Campbell believes that most schools already have clear rules regarding speed limits and no-stopping zones. He argued that enforcing existing regulations is more important than creating new ones.

Chambers mentioned that his proposal includes a period of education for parents and drivers before strict enforcement begins. He encourages parents to prepare their children before arriving at school.

Some parents acknowledge the congestion but do not think a one-minute limit is the right solution. Outside La Vérendrye School in the Earl Grey neighborhood, cars began lining the curb before the 3 p.m. end of the school day. Parent Krista Nicholson noted that traffic can be tight, especially with buses and pedestrians.

Parent Opinions

“I think maybe we could decide a bit better flow of traffic,” Nicholson said, but added that rushing parents and children isn’t safe. Parent Aradiah Gibbons agreed, highlighting the challenges of getting young children in and out of vehicles, especially during Winnipeg winters.

“Have a kid or two yourself, take them out of the car, put on their jackets and do all that, and put them back in and strap them in — and see how long it takes,” she said.

City’s Current Efforts

The City of Winnipeg states that school-zone safety is already a priority for enforcement. The Winnipeg Parking Authority patrols over 240 schools each month, focusing on areas flagged for safety or compliance issues.

Many schools have designated loading zones, where exceeding the maximum allowable time results in a $70 fine. Violations like stopping in bus loading zones or near crosswalks incur a $100 fine. However, the city noted that drop-off rules set by schools are not enforceable under the parking bylaw unless they are posted as regulatory signs.

The motion is set to be debated at the city’s Riel community committee on Wednesday.

Summary of Proposal