Road and Intersection Safety

York Region uses a range of traffic calming measures to encourage slower, safer driving. These measures increase driver awareness and reinforce safe driving behaviour, especially in areas with vulnerable road users.

Measures such as Senior Zones, Gateway signs, “SLOW DOWN” pavement markings create a visual narrowing effect that naturally prompts drivers to reduce speed. They are installed in rural villages, near schools, retirement homes and other high risk locations where people walking, cycling or using mobility devices need added protection.

Speed monitoring boards provide real time feedback by displaying a driver’s speed as they pass. This immediate visual cue encourages drivers to stay within the posted speed limit and supports safer driving behaviour. Speed data collected from these boards identifies areas of persistent speeding and guides future enforcement and safety planning.

Impact: These combined measures have reduced collisions by up to 15%, lowered operating speeds by up to 5 km/h and improved speed limit compliance by up to 51%.

York Region has reduced speed limits in more than 60 school zones.

During the school year, speed limits in school zones are reduced by 10 km/h on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., as posted by regulatory signs. Outside of school hours, the speed limit returns to 10 km/h higher. Lower speeds give drivers more time to react and significantly reduce the severity of injuries if a collision occurs.

These areas are supported by enhanced signage, community safety zone warning signs and “SLOW DOWN” pavement markings to reinforce safe driving behaviour.

York Regional Council reviews and approves speed limit revisions on Regional roads annually. When speed limits are revised, clear signage is installed to inform drivers, including temporary “NEW” signs for the first 60 to 90 days during the transition period.

Reduced speed limit locations for 2026:

King-Vaughan Road in the City of Vaughan:

• One kilometre west of Keele Street to one kilometre east of Keele Street - 70 km/h to 60 km/h

Leslie Street in the Town of East Gwillimbury:

• 230 metres north of Mount Albert Road/Farr Avenue to Doane Road - 80 km/h to 70 km/h
• 320 metres south of Queensville Sideroad to 675 metres south of Queensville Sideroad - 40 km/h to 50 km/h as Queensville Public School was relocated

Queensville Sideroad in the Town of East Gwillimbury

• 800 metres east of Yonge Street to 2nd Concession Road - 70 km/h to 60 km/h

King Road in the Township of King:

• 135 metres west of 10th Concession to 200 metres east of 10th Concession - 80 km/h to 50 km/h
• 190 metres east of 11th Concession to 135 metres west of 10th Concession - 80 km/h to 70 km/h

17th Sideroad in the Township of King:

• Jane Street to Dufferin Street - 60 km/h to 50 km/h

Woodbine Avenue in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville:

• 200 metres north of Marjorie Drive to 800 metres north of Aurora Road - 80 km/h to 70 km/h
• 180 metres south of Bloomington Road to 259 metres south of Vandorf Sideroad - 80 km/h to 70 km/h

York Region uses safety measures to reduce conflicts, improve driver awareness and support safer travel for all road users. Measures are selected based on collision history, traffic volumes, roadway design and surrounding land use.

Examples include:

• All way stops: all vehicles must come to a complete stop, improving safety and clarifying right-of-way
• Left turn signals: permits left turns only when a green arrow is displayed to improve safety and reduce collisions. Opposing traffic and pedestrians crossing are not permitted
• No Right Turn on Red restrictions: Restricts right turns during red signals to reduce conflicts and protect pedestrians and cyclists. Restrictions include static signage and digital signage 
• Red Light Cameras: support compliance with traffic signals and reduce severe right-angle and turn-movement collisions 
• Turn restrictions: use time-based or movement-specific restrictions to improve safety and traffic flow at intersections 
• Roundabouts: reduce vehicle speeds and conflict points while improving traffic flow and lowering the severity of collisions. Learn more about existing and future potential roundabout locations
• Speed feedback boards: these devices monitor excessive speeding and have been shown to increase compliance to the posted speed limit. The board measures the speed of passing vehicles and displays it as they pass, encouraging drivers to slow down
• Community safety zones: these zones strive to improve safety on roads where public safety is of special concern given presence of vulnerable road users, including seniors and students. They include “SLOW DOWN” pavement markings and new large speed feedback boards to promote awareness and compliance to speed limit
• Senior safety zones: Senior Zones and Extended Walking Times at Signals are implemented near retirement homes and long-term care facilities. These zones include special signs warning drivers about seniors, large "SLOW DOWN" messages painted on the road and longer crossing times at nearby traffic lights to give seniors more time to cross safely
• Pavement markings and signage: large “SLOW DOWN” pavement messages provide clear reminders for drivers to reduce speed, particularly where children and seniors are present. In rural areas, the pavement markings are paired with gateway safety features, including community name signs with speed limits and pedestrian symbols. Together, these measures create a visual narrowing effect that helps calm traffic

York Region manages and maintains more than 900 traffic signals on Regional roads to support safe and efficient travel. Traffic signals are installed and operated using a data driven approach that considers traffic volumes, pedestrian and cyclist activity, sightlines and collision history to safely assign right of way at intersections.

Pedestrian Crossovers

Pedestrian crossovers provide designated crossing opportunities where there is demand and the location does not meet the provincial criteria for traffic signals. They use standardized signs and pavement markings, and at some locations, flashing lights and push buttons to clearly communicate pedestrian right of way. To be eligible for a pedestrian crossover, the location must have a speed limit of 60 km/h or lower, have lower traffic volume and no more than four lanes.

Pedestrian Signals and Push Buttons

Pedestrian signals at signalized intersections provide clear crossing indications, such as the “WALK” symbol, and countdown timers. Pedestrians must press the push button to activate the pedestrian signal, ensuring adequate crossing time.

Watch the Pedestrian Push Button video

Audible Pedestrian Signals

Audible pedestrian signals provide accessible crossing information for people who are blind, visually impaired or deaf blind by indicating when and where it is safe to cross. The pedestrian push button must be pushed and held for at least three seconds to activate audible tones. If the button is not held down for at least three seconds, the audible tone will not be activated even though the walking person display appears. All audible pedestrian signals meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requirements.

Traffic Signals

Traffic signals are installed to manage traffic at higher volume intersections or where safety concerns exist. Decisions are guided by traffic studies that consider vehicle volumes, pedestrian and cyclist activity, sightlines and collision history.

Requests for new or revised traffic signals are reviewed through a data driven assessment process. Traffic signal requests such as reporting a malfunctioning signal or timing adjustment can be made online at york.ca/ReportAProblem or by emailing @email

Traffic studies can take up to eight weeks to complete.

For new traffic signal or pedestrian crossover locations, visit york.ca/RoadConstruction

Drive with Care

• Slow to a full stop at stop signs and intersections
• Match your speed and following distance for weather, road and visibility conditions
• Obey posted speed limits, especially in school and community safety zones
• Stay alert and be ready to yield to pedestrians and cyclists

Share the Road with Cyclists

• Leave at least one metre when passing
• Slow down and wait for a safe gap before passing
• Avoid passing on curves, hills or where sightlines are limited
• Be patient, unsafe passing can put lives at risk
• Learn more from the Ministry of Transportation's website

Give Large Vehicles Space

• Increase following distance behind buses, trucks and snow plows
• Avoid driving in blind spots or lingering beside large vehicles
• Expect wide turns and reduced visibility
• Slow down and give space, especially during winter operations

Stay Focused Behind the Wheel

• Put phones and devices away while driving
• Set navigation and controls before starting your trip
• Let calls go to voicemail or have a passenger respond
• Avoid eating or other distractions while driving
• Get more distracted driving tips Ministry of Transportation’s website

Slow Down in Construction Zones

• Obey posted signs and signal persons
• Merge early and avoid sudden lane changes
• Increase following distance and be ready to stop
• Expect delays and plan ahead

Walk Smart

• Cross at intersections and crosswalks
• Obey pedestrian signals and crossing guards
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
• Stay alert and avoid distractions near traffic
• In construction areas:
  • Follow pedestrian detours and marked walkways
  • Never walk on the roadway beside barriers

Ride Predictably (Cycling, e bikes and e scooters)

• Always wear a helmet
• Ride only where permitted; check with your local bylaws
• Follow the rules of the road; riders must be 16+ to operate e-scooters or e-bikes 
• Signal turns and scan intersections
• Yield to pedestrians and slow down when passing
• Learn more cycling tips at york.ca/Cycling and e-scooter and e-bike tips

Be Seen in Low Light Conditions

• Wear light coloured or reflective clothing
• Use lights and reflectors when cycling or riding
• Choose flashing rear lights over steady ones
• Add reflective gear like armbands or small strobe lights

Motorists

Teens

Children

Pedestrians