The days are getting shorter: Be alert and drive safe

October is Pedestrian Safety Month. As daylight hours shorten this fall, the City and Peel Region are reminding all road users to be aware and stay alert when using roads to prevent collisions. As part of International Walk to School Month, the City is also encouraging students to walk and use other forms of active transportation as a healthy and fun way to get to school.

“It’s getting darker earlier, which makes it harder to see on our roads. I urge all road users to stay extra cautious and alert this time of year, especially from evenings into the early morning. Whether you’re walking, cycling or driving, remember to pay attention,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works. “If you’re driving, be aware of the posted speed limit and watch for pedestrians and cyclists, especially when turning. To help increase your visibility, use designated crosswalks or crossrides to cross the road if you’re walking or cycling, and use lights and reflectors on your bike. It’s important that we all work together to help achieve Vision Zero.”

In 2021, the City launched its first Vision Zero Action Plan with 99 actions to help reach the Vision Zero goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries due to collisions on roadways in the city. This year, the City has implemented many initiatives to help increase safety for pedestrians and all road users including:

• Implementing Pedestrian Head Start Signals and Bike Head Start Signals to give pedestrians and cyclists a five-second head start to cross the street.
• Continuing to install pedestrian crossovers in neighbourhoods to help increase safety for pedestrians crossing the road. Drivers must stop if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk.
• Lowering speed limits from 70 km/h to 60 km/h on City roadways.
• Installing Slow Streets as temporary traffic-calming devices to remind drivers to slow down and be aware of other roads users.
• Continuing the School Walking Routes Program to encourage active travel like walking, biking, 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.

“Pedestrian Safety Month highlights the importance of making safer choices when walking, cycling, and driving. Together with our municipal partners, we share common messages to help keep our community safe and encourage all road users to practice extra caution when travelling,” said Kealy Dedman, Commissioner, Public Works at Peel Region. “By reinforcing these essential messages, we are reminding all road users of the need to work together to improve road safety and help support the Vision Zero goal of reducing injuries and fatal collisions on Peel roadways.”

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. As part of the challenge, students can try walking or rolling to or from school or their bus stop at least one day more per week than they do normally. Those who participate can go online and complete a digital certificate to share their accomplishment on social media using the hashtag #WalktoSchoolSauga.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 or biking promotes healthy lifestyles, reduces traffic congestion and lowers carbon emissions.

Learn more

For more information about pedestrian safety, visit: peelregion.ca/articles/2023/pedestrian-safety-month.asp

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

Read about the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan at mississauga.ca/visionzero.

Tags

• Active Transportation
• Public Safety