May 3, 2021
The City of Mississauga’s Road Safety Committee, in partnership with Peel Regional Police and the Region of Peel, is rolling out a speeding awareness campaign throughout May to encourage drivers to slow down and comply with posted speed limits. According to the Peel Regional Police, speeding is driving any amount over the posted speed limit or driving too fast for certain road conditions including bad weather and road construction.
“Speeding is never safe, no matter what the circumstances are and it’s a serious issue on our roads. It is also a contributing factor in approximately one third of fatal collisions in Canada,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “We’re committed to making our roads safe for everyone, regardless of how they choose to move throughout our city. We’re doing this by working closely with community groups, agencies and partner organizations, including Peel Regional Police and the Region of Peel.”
In 2020, Peel Regional Police issued more than 8,300 speeding tickets and more than 140 charges for stunt driving. According to Peel Regional Police, there has been a spike in speeding in April and May as more people are outside enjoying the warmer weather.
“Drivers who exceed speed limits put all road users at risk and increase the likelihood of serious collisions on our roadways,” said Pat Saito, Ward 9 Councillor and Chair of the Road Safety Committee. “The Road Safety Committee is running this campaign to change people’s perceptions of speeding and remind them that slowing down can save lives. Road safety measures like speed limits are put into place to protect everyone – whether you’re a driver, a pedestrian, a cyclist or a child, parent or grandparent.”
The City is working with the Region of Peel and other local partners like Peel Regional Police to effectively implement Vision Zero principles into its road safety initiatives and efforts to keep all road users safe, and reduce injuries and collisions on Mississauga roadways. A number of Regional road design measures have been implemented in addition to speed limit reviews such as the expansion of the red light camera program and electronic radar speed signs, radar speed trailers and traffic calming signs in the centre of the two lane roadways to narrow the roadway.
“Knowing that speeding occurs on our roads, we are asking drivers to slow down and abide by posted speed limits,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works. “To help reduce speed on Mississauga roadways, we have implemented a variety of safety measures, initiatives and programs. In addition to supporting this speeding campaign, we are implementing Automated Speed Enforcement, our Neighbourhood Area Speed Limit project, the Neighbourhood Speed Watch program and traffic calming measures.”
To learn more about road safety in Mississauga, visit mississauga.ca/roadsafety.
Background:
Vision Zero
Vision Zero is an approach to safety that seeks to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on roadways because no loss of life is acceptable. The Vision Zero approach focuses on everyone’s responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and follow the rules of the road.
The City of Mississauga is committed to Vision Zero and is working to prevent fatalities and serious injuries due to collisions on our roadways. Learn more: mississauga.ca/projects-and-strategies/city-projects/vision-zero/.
Driver safety tips
- Give yourself extra time so you don’t have to rush to your destination.
- Eliminate distractions so you can pay attention to your speed.
- Watch for other road users like pedestrians or cyclists when driving through intersections.
- Be extra careful when driving through areas where people are working on or near the road.
- Lower your speed to reflect road conditions in bad weather, heavy traffic and construction zones.
- Slow down on residential streets and school zones. Be mindful of pedestrians and children using roadways to maintain physical distance.
- Follow all speed limits posted on roadways.
