The City of Toronto is urging drivers to slow down, stay alert and obey the rules of the road to save lives, keep streets safe and accessible, prevent traffic-related collisions and reduce the strain on the city’s healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toronto’s medical officer of health and all City officials continue to urge all residents to stay at home as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Drivers should stay off the road as much as possible and only travel for essential reasons.
While the City has seen a dramatic drop in traffic volumes, Toronto Police report that from March 15 to March 31, there was a 35 per cent increase in speeding tickets and an almost 200 per cent increase in stunt driving compared to the same period last year.
Starting this week, officers from the Toronto Police Service’s Vision Zero Enforcement Team will begin rotating in daily shifts across the city and patrol for motorists who are speeding or stunt driving. All red light cameras in the city are active and tickets are being issued to motorists who disobey traffic signals.
For more info about the COVID-19 impacts to road, sidewalk and bikeway maintenance, visit https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/affected-city-services/?accordion=road-sidewalk-and-bikeway-maintenance
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
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“Taking advantage of low traffic volumes by speeding or stunt driving is not only illegal but threatens the lives of those around you and places an unnecessary pressure on our healthcare system. I continue to encourage all residents to stay home as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”
– Toronto Mayor John Tory
“The Toronto Police Service continues to proactively enforce traffic laws in high-collision areas. Our officers will be focused on stopping those drivers who are speeding or stunt driving and making our streets unsafe for other users.”
– Toronto Police Service Chief Mark Saunders
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit http://www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.