Mississauga, Brampton residents urged to drive and walk safely on the roads

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Published September 29, 2022 at 10:23 am

More than half the collisions between pedestrians and vehicles in Mississauga and Brampton happen when drivers make turns at intersections and strike people who are crossing with the right-of-way.

City of Mississauga officials are seeking to dramatically reduce that number, and any and all occurrences of pedestrians getting hurt, as they launch Pedestrian Safety Month in partnership with the Region of Peel, City of Brampton, Peel Regional Police and other municipal partners.

Officials say the risk of collisions increases during the fall when daylight hours become shorter. So, along with the Region of Peel, they’re raising awareness about pedestrian safety and reminding all road users of their responsibility in keeping everyone safe.

Throughout October, Mississauga officials are also encouraging students and their families to use “active transportation”–walking, cycling, skateboarding–safely on their way to school.

“Our priority is to ensure all residents, no matter age or ability, can move safely, freely and comfortably around Mississauga. Road safety is a shared responsibility,” said Geoff Wright, Mississauga’s commissioner of transportation and works. “Whether you’re walking, cycling or driving, remember to pay attention to your surroundings, obey the rules of the road, and be cautious and alert. Walking or riding your bike is a healthy and fun way to get to school, work or to run errands. Consider leaving your car at home and walking or riding your bike to school instead as it can contribute to safer streets and reduces traffic congestion.”

Region of Peel officials, who provided the statistic noting that more than 50 per cent of collisions between pedestrians and vehicles happen when drivers are making turns at intersections, also urge all road users to be safe.

“We know roadways don’t stop at the municipal borders. Working together with our local partners is a priority in order to share common messages and inform the community of safe behaviours,” said Kealy Dedman, Peel’s  commissioner of public works. “Pedestrian Safety Month is a good time to stop and reflect on your own travel behaviours. Making safer choices when driving, walking or cycling saves lives and protects our community as a whole.”

Pedestrian Safety Month is part of a larger Peel-wide effort. The Region’s Vision Zero plan focuses on working with municipal partners and the community to reduce/eliminate all collisions that result in injuries and deaths.

This year, as part of the Vision Zero plan, Mississauga:

  • is lowering speed limits in neighbourhoods and school zones
  • is installing traffic calming measures to clamp down on speeding
  • is updating pedestrian signal timing at some 800 intersections
  • introduced the first Leading Pedestrian Interval at Lakeshore and Stavebank Rds.
  • installed more automated speed enforcement cameras
  • is investing in new sidewalks and filling in gaps in Mississauga’s pedestrian network and expanding the cycling network
  • piloted its first School Streets program, which creates temporary car-free environments in front of schools

October is also International Walk to School Month, which celebrates walking and other forms of active transportation as a healthy and fun way to get to school that benefit students, their communities and the environment.

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