Don’t fall back into bad habits: As daylight hours shorten, be extra alert while using Mississauga’s roads

October is Pedestrian Safety Month and International Walk to School Month. It’s getting darker earlier, which makes it harder to see on the roads. As we transition into the fall season with shorter daylight hours, it’s important that everyone pays extra attention when travelling to their destination to prevent collisions. The City urges all road users, including drivers, cyclists, e-scooter users, transit users and pedestrians, to stay extra cautious and alert this time of year, especially from evenings into the early morning. If you’re a student, the City is also encouraging you to walk and use other forms of active transportation as a healthy and fun way to get to school.

Vision Zero initiatives to support pedestrians

The City’s Vision Zero Action Plan has 99 actions to help reach the Vision Zero goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries due to collisions on roadways. This year, the City has continued to implement many initiatives to help increase safety for pedestrians and all road users. Some initiatives include:

• Continuing to install pedestrian crossovers in neighbourhoods to help increase safety for pedestrians crossing the road. Drivers must stop if a pedestrian is in a crossover or crosswalk.
• Expanding the speed camera program with 60 new cameras over the next five years.
• Installing nine traffic calming projects to help reduce speeding and aggressive driving.
• Installing Slow Streets bollards to remind drivers to slow down and be aware of other roads users in neighbourhoods.
• Continuing the School Walking Routes Program to encourage active travel like walking, biking, using a scooter, using a wheelchair or other mobility devices, to and from school.
• Continuing the School Crossing Guard Program with crossing guards at more than 160 locations to help elementary school students safely cross the road.

Walk to School Month

October is also Walk to School Month in Mississauga. Students and their families are encouraged to join the One Walk a Week challenge. To participate, students should walk or roll, either to school or their bus stop, at least once more per week than their usual routine. Those who participate can go online and complete a digital certificate to share their accomplishment.

The City is encouraging all students and their families to walk or bike to and from school. If you live farther from the school, consider parking five to 10 minutes away from the school and walking the rest of the way. Walking and biking promote healthy lifestyles, reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.

For more about Walk to School Month, pedestrian and cycling safety, visit mississauga.ca/walk-to-school.

Stay safe when using roads

When driving, remember to:

• Stay alert and obey posted speed limits.
• Pay special attention near schools for pedestrians and cyclists, especially when turning and in areas with many stopped cars.
• Tune your playlist, fix your GPS and sync your Bluetooth before you leave. Once you’re behind the wheel, your attention should only be on the road.

When walking, cycling, riding an e-scooter or taking transit, remember to:

• Be alert and stay aware of your surroundings.
• Cross streets only at designated crosswalks, crossovers or crossrides, where possible. Walk your device across roads when no crossrides are available.
• Make sure you wear a helmet when biking or riding an e-scooter, and use lights and reflectors on your bike. E-bike users must wear a helmet. Cyclists and e-scooter users must wear a helmet if under the age of 18. However, all riders are encouraged to wear a helmet for their safety.

Learn more about Vision Zero and the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan at mississauga.ca/visionzero.

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• Public Safety