Toronto Enhances Road Safety Measures for Students’ Return to School
As students in Toronto head back to classrooms this week, the City is ramping up its efforts to ensure road safety with new updates to its Vision Zero Road Safety Plan. This initiative is focused on safeguarding children and other vulnerable road users.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin (Don Valley West) recently stood alongside Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Director of Education Clayton La Touche and Toronto Police Service Superintendent Matt Moyer at Owen Public School in North York to mark the start of the new school year and highlight the City’s renewed commitment.
Chow emphasized the shared responsibility in ensuring the safe transportation of students to and from school. She stated, “Injuries and deaths on our roads are preventable, and we must continue to strive towards Vision Zero to protect vulnerable road users. By combining safer road designs, engineering, and technology with responsible behavior from all street users, we can create a city where everyone feels secure on our roads.”
The Vision Zero initiative, introduced in 2017, aims to eradicate traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries. This year, the City is expanding key programs and upgrading infrastructure to enhance safety in the vicinity of schools:
Additionally, the City is promoting its Safety Guide for School Children and Parents, which provides practical tips on walking, cycling, driving, or using public transit to travel to and from school.
With the new school year underway, officials are urging all road users to exercise caution, particularly during busy drop-off and pick-up times.
Chow reiterated the importance of combining safer road measures with responsible behavior, emphasizing the goal of creating a city where everyone can feel safe on the roads.