City of Toronto urges road users to stay alert as students head back to school

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow was joined by Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Toronto District School Board Director of Education Colleen Russell-Rawlins, Toronto District School Board Trustee Ward 19 Zakir Patel and Toronto Police Service Superintendent Matt Moyer to welcome students in Scarborough-Guildwood as they returned to school with the City of Toronto’s updated Vision Zero Road Safety Plan in place to help ensure all road users particularly one of our most vulnerable groups, children and youth, remain safe. 

With increased traffic volumes expected during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups at schools and with more pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles on the road, the City is urging everyone travelling on city streets to exercise caution and follow the rules of the road.  

The City continues to implement several safety actions, programs and initiatives to protect students, parents, guardians and teachers on roadways. These include:  

• Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE): Automated Speed Enforcement is installed in Community Safety Zones across the city. Seventy-five cameras are in operation (three per ward), with a combination of mobile camera units that rotate every three to six months, and permanent cameras which are pole mounted. The location changes allow the City to address a greater number of safety concerns and have a wide range deterrent effect. Tickets are issued to vehicles travelling at speeds greater than the posted speed limit. ASE aims to increase road safety, reduce speeding and raise public awareness about the need to slow down and obey posted speed limits.  

• School Crossing Guard Program: 879 trained crossing guards are stationed across the city to ensure children cross streets safely and remind drivers to be cautious. 

• School Safety Zones: A designated stretch of roadway that features School Safety Zone signage, pavement markings and speed stencils, flashing beacons, driver feedback signs and more. The City has installed School Safety Zones at 565 schools around Toronto and aims to install 80 more by the end of this year. 

• Speed Limit Reductions: The City is reducing the speed limit on local roads and laneways in Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough to 30 km/h on a ward-by-ward basis. This multi-year, data-driven effort will create a consistent 30 km/h speed limit on all local roads to curb speeding and minimize traffic-related fatalities. The local road speed limit has already been reduced in 19 wards with work continuing in the remaining six wards in the next two years. The City also reduced the speed limit on 500 kilometres of arterial and collector roadways across Toronto, between November 2019 and the end of 2020. 
  

• Pedestrian Head Start Signals: Close to 1,400 intersections across the city are equipped with a Pedestrian Head Start Signal, allowing pedestrians to begin crossing the street before vehicles are permitted to proceed by delaying the green signal. This delay allows pedestrians to establish a presence in the crosswalk, increasing their visibility and reducing conflicts with turning vehicles. Another 100 signals are planned to receive this safety treatment before the end of this year.  

• In-Road Flexible Speed Signs: More than 280 in-road flexible speed signs have been installed to encourage speed limit compliance with the speed limit in high-priority areas including School Safety Zones. Eighty more signs are planned to be in place before the end of this year. 

The Vision Zero Road Safety Plan is a comprehensive action plan focused on eliminating traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto’s streets.   The City’s Safety Guide for School Children and Parents includes important information and advice on walking, cycling, wheeling, driving or taking the bus to and from school. Learn more about this guide by visiting the City’s website.

Quotes: 

“The start of a new school year brings excitement and possibility. Let’s make safety our top priority by being mindful of school zones, following the rules of the road, and watching out for our young pedestrians and cyclists. By being vigilant, patient, and careful on our roads, we can create a safe and supportive environment that extends far beyond the classroom.” 

– Mayor Olivia Chow 

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. As students head back to school this week, slow down, be aware, and respect the rules of the road to help ensure the safety of children and youth in our communities.” 

– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee 

“I’m committed to making our streets safer for families in Scarborough-Guildwood. Whether it takes us reducing speed limits, increasing road safety measures, and working together to prevent accidents. Our kids deserve a safe journey to and from school.” 

– Councillor Paul Ainslie (Scarborough-Guildwood) 

Toronto is home to more than three 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 climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.