As students across Lethbridge returned to class on September 1, 2026, the Lethbridge Police Service is reminding drivers and pedestrians to stay alert around school zones. With more foot traffic and vehicles near local schools, police say they will be increasing enforcement in playground zones, watching for speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield to pedestrians, parking violations, and illegal U-turns.
Lethbridge has harmonized school and playground zones with a 30 km/h speed limit in effect daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. year-round. Drivers should already be accustomed to slowing down, but police will use both automated and conventional enforcement during the start of the school year.
In 2025, there were 14,779 speeding offences recorded in 30 km/h speed zones in Lethbridge, including 2,400 offences involving speeds of 50 km/h or higher. That same year, 14 children between the ages of four and 17 were injured in reported pedestrian or cyclist collisions.
Speed compliance in school zones has improved significantly, from about 50 to 60 per cent to 89 per cent, thanks in part to speed feedback signs installed at over 20 locations. The City of Lethbridge also completed School Transportation Plans for 21 elementary schools in 2026 to help make walking, biking, scootering, or taking the bus safer for students.
Police say the goal is simple: slow down and pay attention, especially with children heading back to school.
