News Release: October 1, 2019
October is Pedestrian Safety Month in Peel
Brampton, ON. (October 1, 2019) – Pedestrian and motor vehicle collisions increase in the fall and winter months. For this reason, the Region of Peel and its partners have declared October as Pedestrian Safety Month.
Everyone can help improve pedestrian safety with these simple actions:
When driving:
- Double-check for pedestrians when turning left or right. Over half of the collisions between cars and pedestrians happen when a driver is turning, and the pedestrian is crossing with the right of way.
- Remember to scan for pedestrians when approaching an intersection.
When walking:
- Press pedestrian pushbuttons. These pushbuttons trigger the ‘Walk’ signal, giving you more time to cross.
- Don’t start crossing the street when the ‘Don’t Walk’ signal is flashing – this signal means ‘Finish crossing, don’t start.’
“With fewer daylight hours at this time of year, it’s important that we take extra care to help ensure the safety of all commuters,” said Andrew Farr, Region of Peel Commissioner of Public Works. “The Region of Peel is committed to improving the safety of our roads. We have adopted the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan to help protect the most vulnerable road users and reduce the number of people getting hurt or dying from motor vehicles collisions.”
The Region of Peel is making infrastructure changes to improve pedestrian safety as part of the Vision Zero Road Safety Strategic Plan:
- Building pedestrian crossovers to create more locations for pedestrians to cross with the right-of-way
- Adding pedestrian crossovers to right turn channels – giving pedestrians the right-of-way to cross to the island
- Reducing crossing distances by bumping out curbs and reducing lane widths
- Investigating strategies like leading pedestrian intervals that give pedestrians the ‘Walk’ signal before drivers get a green light. The goal is to make pedestrians more visible to drivers turning left and right.
To learn more and to test your pedestrian safety IQ, visit our pedestrian safety page or tweet us using #PedestrianSafetyPeel.
Pedestrian Safety Month is the result of a community partnership involving the Region of Peel, the City of Brampton, the Town of Caledon, the City of Mississauga, Peel Regional Police, the Caledon OPP detachment, Teens Learn to Drive, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
Media Contacts
Gloria LeonardisCommunications Specialist
Region of Peel
905-791-7800, ext. 4667
About Peel Region
In 2024, Peel Region marks its 50th anniversary. Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel's services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
On December 13, 2023, the Ontario government announced that Peel Region will not be dissolved, and that Bill 112 legislation will be updated to reflect service delivery in Peel. Services for residents and businesses will continue without interruption. For updates and more information, visit Peel's transition page.
