Hamilton police, city target speeding in latest traffic safety initiative
Published March 11, 2020 at 12:15 am
The Hamilton Police Service and the City of Hamilton will be targeting drivers with a penchant for putting the pedal to the metal throughout March.
The Hamilton Police Service and the City of Hamilton will be targeting drivers with a penchant for putting the pedal to the metal throughout March.
In a press release sent Tuesday (March 10), the city said that the initiative is the latest in the joint Vision Zero Action Plan — an ongoing education campaign focused on transforming roadway safety with a simple goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries on roadways.
Vision Zero emphasizes safe speeds, safe roads, safe vehicles and safe drivers.
Throughout March, the City and police will be targeting motorists driving above the speed limit to drive home the message that ‘there’s no such thing as speeding a little – speeding is speeding.’
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Speeding in excess of the posted speed limit is one of the largest contributing factors in the cause and severity of collisions, the release says.
In February 2019, Hamilton City Council approved the Hamilton Strategic Road Safety Program and Vision Zero Action Plan that identified the need for reduced speed limits on residential roadways and in designated school zones to protect vulnerable road users.
Between December 2019 and March 2022, speed limits within residential neighbourhoods will drop from 50 km/hr to 40km/hr, and to 30km/hr in school zones.
If you want to know if your neighbourhood is impacted by the lowering of the speed limits, look it up here.
The city and police initiative asks drivers to consider the following:
- Give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to go. Leave earlier so you do not rush to your destination.
- Pay close attention to the speedometer. Pedestrians have a 41 per cent higher chance of survival if struck by a car driving 40 km/hr than a car driving 50 km/hr.
- Be cautious: Do not speed through intersections, even if you have the right of way – especially if pedestrians and cyclists are present in the area.
- Be especially careful at night, early evening, early morning, or if the sun is in your eyes.
- Slow down for older pedestrians who need more time to cross the road or children playing near or crossing the street.
- Be courteous to all pedestrians who share the road with you.
- Treat pedestrians with respect.
- Stay alert and slow down on residential streets and through school zones.
- Practice safe, mindful driving habits to improve road safety and decrease road injuries and fatalities