Vision Zero
About Vision Zero
This approach to road safety originated in Sweden in 1994. It has been adopted in various forms around the world.
Vision Zero can be summarized in one sentence: No loss of life is acceptable due to a motor vehicle collision.
In today's Vision Zero jurisdictions, we base our decisions on these considerations:
- Human beings make mistakes, so transportation systems are to be designed to be forgiving.
- Safety is prioritized over other factors such as cost, speed, delay, level of service, and convenience.
- Life and health cannot be exchanged for other societal benefits.
- Safety takes precedence over cost-benefit analysis.
This approach will not only prevent collisions from happening in the first place, but also will minimize the consequences of the collisions that do take place.
Peel Region has developed a Road Safety Strategic Plan (RSSP) to address collisions on Regional roads that result in injury or death.
The RSSP aims to address several priorities outlined in the Region of Peel's 2015-2035 Strategic Plan by promoting healthy and age-friendly built environments and building a community that promotes safe mobility, walkability, healthy living, and various modes of transportation.
Goal and vision
The Road Safety Strategic Plan (2018 -2022) reflects Peel Region's adoption of the Vision Zero framework.
The Vision: Zero fatal and injury collisions for all road users.
Short-Term Goal: a 10% reduction in fatal and injury collisions by 2022.
The ultimate goal is that no one should be injured or killed in Peel Region because of a collision.
Plan aspects and overview
The Road Safety Strategic Plan is a structured program to improve safety for road users.
Region of Peel Council approved the Vision Zero Road Safety Strategic Plan in September 2018.
The program will improve safety through a data-driven effort, incorporating public input and Regional Council priorities by:
- Prioritizing emphasis areas.
- Coordinating with our partners and stakeholders to improve road safety.
- Implementing new or expanded safety countermeasures.
The adoption and implementation of Vision Zero in a jurisdiction requires legislative and significant cultural changes to the approach taken towards road safety, road design, enforcement, and the education of road users.
Emphasis Areas
We determined our Emphasis Areas through analyzing past collisions and consulting with the public.
Our analysis and consultations revealed these top categories:
Creating safer intersections
More than 71% of collisions that cause injuries or death happen at intersections.
We're working to keep all road users safer at intersections by:
- Creating more roundabouts.
- Changing 2-line crosswalks to ladder design crosswalks that are easier for drivers and pedestrians to see.
- Putting more fully protected left turn arrows into operation so vehicles can make a left turn only on a green arrow, not just a green light.
Reducing aggressive driving
Deaths or injuries caused by aggressive driving happen when drivers follow too close, disobey traffic signals, don't give right of way, or speed. We'll reduce aggressive driving deaths and injuries by:
- Using better signage and electronic radar speed signs to remind motorists to reduce their speed.
- Installing red light cameras to discourage red light running.
- Implementing automated speed enforcement in school zones and community safety zones.
- Promoting the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Peel Regional Police’s road safety campaigns and Eliminate Racing Activities on Streets Everywhere (ERASE) programs.
Reducing distracted driving
Deaths or injuries caused by distracted driving happen when drivers don't pay attention while driving. We'll work with the police to reduce distracted driving deaths and injuries by:
- Adding safety edges by letting drivers who drift off highways return to the road safely.
- Supporting 'Heads Up!', an educational program aimed at reminding drivers to keep their “heads up” and remain attentive.
Reducing impaired driving
Impaired driving deaths or injuries are caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
We'll work with the police to reduce impaired driving deaths and injuries by supporting programs such as R.I.D.E., The Last Drink, M.A.D.D. 911 and DriveSafe.
Protecting pedestrians
Pedestrian collisions involve a motor vehicle and people walking along the road.
We'll work to prevent pedestrian deaths and injuries by:
- Adding Leading Pedestrian Intervals, a signal phase that lets pedestrians start walking before vehicles start moving.
- Educating all road users on pedestrian safety topics through safety campaigns.
- Implementing School Travel Planning (STP) to get more children safely walking and cycling to school.
Protecting cyclists
Pedestrian collisions involve a motor vehicle and people walking along the road.
We'll work to prevent pedestrian deaths and injuries by:
- Adding Leading Pedestrian Intervals, a signal phase that lets pedestrians start walking before vehicles start moving.
- Educating all road users on pedestrian safety topics through safety campaigns.
- Implementing School Travel Planning (STP) to get more children safely walking and cycling to school.
4 E's
Enhancing road safety requires a multidisciplinary, holistic, and integrated approach.
Peel Region’s Road Safety Strategic Plan contains action items that represent our 4-E's of road safety:
- Engineering changes to the physical roadway,
- Education are the measures that change road user behaviour,
- Enforcement of the rules of the road, and
- Empathy helps drivers understand the consequences of their actions.
Plans and reports
- 2020 Vision Zero Road Safety Strategic Plan Update - Year Three
- 2019 Vision Zero Road Safety Strategic Plan Update - Year Two
- 2018 Vision Zero Road Safety Strategic Plan Update - Year One
- Vision Zero Road Safety Strategic Plan, 2018-2022
- Vision Zero Road Safety Strategic Plan Summary Report, 2018-2022
Resources
- Peel Regional Police
- Ontario Provincial Police
- City of Brampton
- Town of Caledon
- City of Mississauga
- Ministry of Transportation
- Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee
- Canadian Automobile Association
- Brampton Transit
- Brampton Cycling Advisory Committee
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving
- Bike Brampton
- MiWay