COMMUNITY
Students Take the Lead on CAA School Safety Patrol®
Leaving the car behind and opting for active travel to school encourages healthy living and provides safety benefits, too.
By Alexis Nicols
Walking to school and home again is a great way for your student to enjoy some exercise and fresh air each day. | PHOTO: PRESSMASTER/ENVATO
THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR brings familiar routines, but for some families, the morning commute is getting a refresh. Instead of piling into the car, parents are encouraging their kids to walk or bike, turning that short trip into a chance to move and build independence, which in turn eases congestion around school zones.
Whether for a young learner gaining independence, a high school student a few blocks from class, or a university freshman discovering campus life, biking or walking to school is a smart choice. It’s healthy, better for the environment — and often faster than sitting in drop-off lineups or fighting for parking.
It’s also a little easier and a lot safer thanks to the CAA School Safety Patrol® program. In Manitoba's elementary schools, where the program has been running since 1936, trained student volunteers in Grades 5 to 8 serve as street patrollers. These volunteers help classmates safely cross the road during morning drop-offs and afternoon dismissals. “Manitoba’s program has always been community-focused; we work closely with local police and educators to deliver safety where it matters most,” says Anna Mierzejewski, unit manager for Road Safety Programs at CAA. Currently, more than 8,000 Manitoba students volunteer for the CAA School Safety Patrol® program. “Street patrollers are stationed near schools and ensure that kids cross the street safely and attentively. It’s all about visibility and trust,” says Mierzejewski. That trust goes both ways. Patrollers are often seen as role models by younger students, many of whom aspire to join the program as they grow. “Younger kids look up to them and say, ‘I want to be just like you.’ That’s where the pride and responsibility really kick in,” she says.
“Street patrollers are stationed near schools and ensure that kids cross the street safely and attentively. It's all about visibility and trust.”
The training process is rooted in community partnerships. Local police officers and teachers are responsible for preparing students to manage safety in their school zones, whether in urban intersections or on quieter rural roads.
The impact goes far beyond traffic control. Many teachers report seeing once-shy students blossom into confident leaders through their work as patrollers. “They’re not just helping classmates cross the street. They’re learning teamwork, decision-making, and how to take care of others,” Mierzejewski says.
That sense of responsibility also contributes to easing congestion and boosting community safety. Families are more likely to let children walk when they know trained peers are nearby. Some opt to drop their kids off a few blocks away from school, knowing that patrollers are keeping watch. “It’s a leadership and traffic safety solution. It gives students lifelong skills while making our school zones safer,” she says.
As schools reopen for a new year and routines reset, it’s the perfect moment to consider how we travel and how small changes like walking, biking — or supporting programs like CAA School Safety Patrol® — can lead to safer, more connected communities. CAA