York Region Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan aims to reduce severe collisions by 10% by 2028

Newmarket – York Regional Council approved the multi-year York Region Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan to reduce severe collisions and create safer traveller experiences.

“The Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan reaffirms York Regional Council’s commitment to keep our roads safe and communities healthy. Developed with data, best practices and public and partner input, this comprehensive plan enhances and identifies areas to further improve safety on our roads,” said Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and CEO. “With every countermeasure we implement, we’ll be one step closer to reaching our aspirational goal of ending severe collisions on roads in York Region.”

The Traveller Safety Plan is driven by international initiative Vision Zero and developed using global road safety best practices to reduce severe collisions, defined as collisions resulting in serious injury or death. To support this vision, a short-term target to reduce severe collisions by 10% within five years (2024 to 2028) has been set.

The plan recommends more than 100 countermeasures including engineering and technology solutions, public engagement, education and heightened enforcement to reduce risk of collision. Specific measures include automated speed enforcement, intersection improvements, pedestrian and cycling measures, red light cameras, school zone speed reductions, speed feedback boards and roundabouts.

Development of this plan and its subsequent success requires ongoing collaboration, resources, monitoring, analysis and evaluation to improve safety and change behaviours.

“Traveller safety is a shared responsibility. This plan’s development is a collaborative effort between York Region, the public, all nine local cities and towns, York Regional Police, school boards and other road safety partners,” said Town of Aurora Mayor, Tom Mrakas, Chair of Public Works - Transportation Services. “We must continue working together to protect our most vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, children and motorcyclists. This is especially critical as these travellers are more likely to sustain severe injury or even death when involved in a collision.”

Countermeasure implementation is based on cost, life cycle and operating and maintenance costs. Larger countermeasures involving engineering changes are expected to be delivered through the Capital Roads Program and capital rehabilitation contracts. Estimated annual costs are approximately $12 million.

The plan captures data on Regional and local roads, including, motor vehicle collision reports from York Regional Police, Ministry of Transportation of Ontario and other data such as traffic volume and connected vehicle data. Data is analyzed yearly to identify trends and help inform decisions on where improvements are needed. Data will be used to track progress and report back to York Regional Council on the plan's work and successes. Learn more about York Region’s Traffic Safety Program at york.ca/trafficsafety

Key facts

• Both total collisions and traffic volumes rose by 13% from 2015 to 2023 in York Region
• In 2020, collisions fell to about 6,200 due to traffic volumes dropping sharply during pandemic-related closures; when restrictions eased in 2021 and traffic volumes increased, collisions increased from just under 7,000 to a projected 10,500 in 2023
• 76% of severe collisions occur at intersections, followed by aggressive driving, vulnerable road users then distracted and impaired driving
• First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Sweden’s Vision Zero strategy attracted widespread attention by cutting its traffic deaths by half within 20 years

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact

Melissa Pinto, Corporate Communications,
The Regional Municipality of York
437-997-6821
@email