Be Alert and Drive Safe as Students Head Back to School
With school starting next week, there will be a lot more traffic on the roads and thousands of students commuting to and from school. The City of Mississauga wants to remind all residents to be alert and cautious when using roadways.
“Back to school brings excitement to our students and parents. However, it is very important to be aware that higher levels of vehicle traffic, pedestrian and cycling activity on the streets will increase. Please be mindful of everyone’s safety.” says Councillor Stephen Dasko, member of the Road Safety Advisory Committee.
Safety tips for students and drivers:
CURRENT CITY ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES:
- Crossing Guards:The City has more than 200 school crossing guards who will be ready on the first day of school to help students at designated crossings around Mississauga.
- Please Slow Down Lawn Signs:Residents are encouraged to post a Please Slow Down lawn sign to encourage safe driving habits and lower vehicle operating speeds on neighbourhood streets. These signs are available at the Customer Service Counter at 3185 Mavis Rd. or through Councillors’ offices, free of cost.
- Traffic Calming:City staff are currently planning the construction of traffic calming projects in five neighbourhoods to change driver behaviour, with additional traffic calming projects anticipated this fall. Staff are also implementing a number of passive traffic calming techniques in the form of white painted edge lines and a yellow centreline. These markings have been successful in other areas by visually reducing the travelled width of the roadway, making it less comfortable for motorists to increase their operating speeds.
- Pedestrian Crossovers: The City installed five new pedestrian crossovers in various neighborhoods last year. Apedestrian crossover is a type of crossing where by law, drivers are required to stop for pedestrians intending to cross the road. Crossovers allow pedestrians to cross roads safely, and all have specific signs and pavement markings. Pedestrian crossovers have proven to be an effective way to assist pedestrians in crossing the road safely.
- Vision Zero:In early 2018, Council approved Vision Zero, a framework which focuses on the prevention of fatalities and injuries due to motor vehicle collisions. It is based on a system of shared responsibilities among all partners involved in the road system, including governments, planners, police and community organizations.
- Transportation Master Plan: The City’s firstTransportation Master Plan (TMP) was endorsed by Council this year. The plan outlines a vision, six goals and over 90 action items to guide the future of the City’s transportation system from today to 2041. Inherent in the plan is a commitment to advancing Vision Zero, a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and injuries.
The City has two safety advisory committees: Road Safety Committee and Traffic Safety Council. Students are encouraged to walk to and from school, which is a great form of daily exercise and helps to ease traffic congestion in school zones.
For more road safety information or additional safety tips, please visit: mississauga.ca/roadsafety.