Don’t leave road safety in the dark

November 07, 2023
York Region reminds travellers to be alert and visible during reduced daylight

Newmarket – Members of the media are invited to join The Regional Municipality of York and York Regional Police (YRP) at a road safety event.

When:

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Where:

Carrville Road and Yonge Street, City of Richmond Hill

What:

During this event, YRP will use radar surveillance to emphasize the vigilance needed by drivers, pedestrians and cyclists as we transitioned back to standard time on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Together with YRP, York Region staff will also remind drivers to be attentive and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the importance of being visible, especially with reduced daylight hours during winter months, will be reinforced for pedestrians and cyclists.

In York Region, the month of November traditionally sees the highest number of pedestrian-involved collisions, likely due to shorter daylight hours. These accidents result in injuries or fatalities in a significant percentage of cases, with nearly 93% of all pedestrian collisions and 87% of cyclist collisions leading to such outcomes. Prioritizing pedestrian and cycling safety remains crucial.

Here are some key safety recommendations for road users:

To increase road safety, motorists should:

  • Avoid distractions and be aware of pedestrians and cyclists
  • Slow down, especially during dangerous weather conditions and poor visibility
  • Ensure windshield wiper fluid is full and wipers are functioning properly
  • Make sure headlights are on when daylight is fading and it is dark

To increase safety, pedestrians should:

  • Wear bright, reflective  clothing and walk with a flashlight to be more visible to motorists
  • Cross streets at designated crosswalks or intersections
  • Avoid distractions
  • Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street

To increase safety, cyclists should:

  • Have a white front light and a flashing red LED rear light on their bicycle
  • Wear light-coloured clothing and a safety vest or jacket with reflective material
  • Avoid distractions
  • Wear a strobe light on your arm

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:

Tamara Ostrowski, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 71226 or Cell: 905-251-6412
@email