School districts across Vancouver Island are reminding families and drivers to take additional precautions as students begin travelling to school before sunrise.

With British Columbia remaining on the same Pacific time throughout the year, darker winter mornings will become increasingly common.

Comox Valley Schools and Campbell River’s School District 72 say low light, rain and fog can make children walking, cycling, rolling or waiting for buses especially difficult to see.

Students are encouraged to wear bright or reflective clothing and place lights or reflectors on their backpacks, bicycles and scooters. Flashlights and clip-on visibility lights can also help motorists see them sooner.

Families can choose well-lit routes and remind children to use sidewalks and marked crossings whenever possible.

Students should put away phones and other distractions, remain aware of their surroundings and make eye contact with drivers before entering the road. Even when pedestrians have the right of way, they should never assume that an approaching motorist has seen them.

Drivers are being asked to use their full headlights, reduce their speed and leave additional time for the morning commute.

Motorists should watch particularly carefully near schools, intersections, crosswalks, bus stops and residential driveways—and be prepared to stop when visibility is poor.

According to ICBC, approximately 42 per cent of crashes involving pedestrians occur between October and January, when weather and visibility are often at their worst.

Officials say everyone sharing local roads has a role in helping students arrive safely: be alert, be seen and stay safe.