October is Pedestrian Safety Month. As daylight hours shorten this fall, the City and Peel Region are reminding all road users to be aware and stay alert when using roads to prevent collisions. As part of International Walk to School Month, the City is also encouraging students to walk and use other forms of active transportation as a healthy and fun way to get to school.
- Implementing Pedestrian Head Start Signals and Bike Head Start Signals to give pedestrians and cyclists a five-second head start to cross the street.
- Continuing to install pedestrian crossovers in neighbourhoods to help increase safety for pedestrians crossing the road. Drivers must stop if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk.
- Lowering speed limits from 70 km/h to 60 km/h on City roadways.
- Installing Slow Streets as temporary traffic-calming devices to remind drivers to slow down and be aware of other roads users.
- Continuing the School Walking Routes Program to encourage active travel like walking, biking, using a wheelchair or other mobility devices, to and from school.
- Continuing the School Crossing Guard Program with crossing guards at more than 160 locations to help elementary school students safely cross the road.
“Pedestrian Safety Month highlights the importance of making safer choices when walking, cycling, and driving. Together with our municipal partners, we share common messages to help keep our community safe and encourage all road users to practice extra caution when travelling,” said Kealy Dedman, Commissioner, Public Works at Peel Region. “By reinforcing these essential messages, we are reminding all road users of the need to work together to improve road safety and help support the Vision Zero goal of reducing injuries and fatal collisions on Peel roadways.”
Walk to School Month
October is also Walk to School Month in Mississauga. Students and their families are encouraged to join the One Walk a Week challenge. As part of the challenge, students can try walking or rolling to or from school or their bus stop at least one day more per week than they do normally. Those who participate can go online and complete a digital certificate to share their accomplishment on social media using the hashtag #WalktoSchoolSauga.The City is encouraging all students and their families to walk or bike to and from school. If you live farther from the school, consider parking five to 10 minutes away from the school and walking the rest of the way. Walking or biking promotes healthy lifestyles, reduces traffic congestion and lowers carbon emissions.