Traffic Safety at Westmount School
Thank you for raising your concerns about traffic safety at Westmount School. We share your commitment to ensuring that all students, families, and staff are safe during arrival and dismissal times, and we genuinely appreciate the time and care you’ve taken to bring this forward.
We recognize that there have been unsafe driving behaviours observed in the parking lot and loop, and we agree that these behaviours are not acceptable. To date, the school and division have:
- Communicated expectations directly to families
- Increased staff presence during peak times, where possible
- Requested bylaw observation and support
Despite these efforts, we acknowledge that the concern remains.
A proposal has been made to close the parking lot/loop during peak times and require parents to pick up students off site. After careful analysis, the division has significant concerns with this approach.
Westmount School is located within a residential neighbourhood. Closing the parking lot would not reduce traffic volume—it would move it onto surrounding streets that are narrower, less predictable, and shared with residents, cyclists, and students walking to and from school. This would increase the likelihood of unsafe stopping, illegal parking, U-turns, and mid-block drop-offs, ultimately creating new risks for students and neighbours that are more difficult to monitor and manage.
Additionally, school property allows for clearer expectations, signage, staff oversight, and safer vehicle circulation than nearby public roads. Once traffic is displaced off site, the school has limited ability to influence or correct unsafe behaviours. We are also mindful of accessibility considerations for families who rely on close access due to mobility, supervision, or transportation needs.
For these reasons, closing the parking lot during peak times is not a solution we can responsibly support, as it would shift the safety concerns rather than resolve them.
That said, the Division remains committed to improving safety and will continue to explore alternatives that focus on behaviour change, clarity, and predictability, including:
- Reviewing traffic flow patterns within the parking lot
- Improved signage and visual cues
- Providing targeted reminders and expectations shared with families
- Staff-supported supervision during peak periods
- Continued collaboration with bylaw enforcement
We believe that addressing driver behaviour rather than removing access is the most effective and equitable path forward.
Safety is a shared responsibility. We appreciate your advocacy, patience, and partnership as we work together to improve safety for everyone in our school community.
Yours in learning,
Foothills School Division
