The City of Toronto is urging all road users – drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians – to stay alert and obey the rules of the road as daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1.
The return to standard time means fewer daylight hours and reduced visibility for all road users in the city. In Toronto, pedestrian collisions increase by more than 30 per cent during the evening commute hours from November to March.
To draw attention to the increased risks facing pedestrians and cyclists, the City of Toronto has launched a city-wide public education campaign today that promotes road safety as we enter a season with reduced daylight hours. The campaign intends to remind Torontonians, especially drivers, to be aware of each other as they share the city’s roads.
The campaign will run until the end of November. It is featured on billboards, buses, TTC and PATH screens, in addition to radio, print and social media ads. The campaign will also appear in high-volume parking garages throughout the city.
When visibility is reduced, people and objects on the road are harder to see. The City is asking drivers to follow these safety tips after daylight saving time ends this Sunday:
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will also be using their social media channels to remind customers of the importance of safety while travelling on and alongside transit vehicles. Reduced daylight can result in reduced visibility, so the TTC encourages customers to take extra safety precautions while boarding, exiting or approaching transit vehicles. The TTC also communicates internally with operators and supervisors about the importance of road safety and potential blind spots.
More information about the campaign is available on the City’s website.
The Vision Zero Road Safety Plan is a comprehensive action plan that aims to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto’s streets. With more than 50 safety measures across seven emphasis areas, the plan prioritizes the safety of Toronto’s most vulnerable road users: pedestrians, schoolchildren, seniors and cyclists. More information is available at toronto.ca/VisionZero.
Quotes:
“Our data demonstrates that collisions significantly increase when the clocks turn back, and tragically, these collisions affect our most vulnerable road users – pedestrians and cyclists. I urge drivers to obey the rules of the road and stay alert.”
– Mayor John Tory
“It’s important for everyone to understand the driving hazards associated with the return to standard time. Reduced visibility affects reaction time, depth perception, colour recognition and peripheral vision. In short, reduced visibility can kill people. Drivers must ensure their vehicle’s headlights and signals are functioning properly. More importantly, they should slow down and approach all crosswalks and intersections with caution.”
– Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 6 – York Centre)
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 the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.