ICBC warns September is the riskiest month for children’s commutes

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia says the start of the school year is the most dangerous time of year for children travelling in B.C. Data from 2021 to 2025 shows crashes involving minors were 37% higher in September than the monthly average. ICBC said the highestrisk periods are the morning and afternoon school commute windows, especially from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The agency reported that three children are killed while walking or cycling each year in the province, and 365 are injured. Roadsafety advocates say broader changes are needed, including lower speed limits and more School Streets programs that restrict vehicle access near schools during dropoff and pickup times. They note that some efforts to expand these measures have faced political and community resistance.