Collision rate drops 40% on York regional roads in 2020

Newmarkettoday.ca
Nov. 2, 2021

York Regional Council received the annual traveller safety report that provides a breakdown of traffic and collision data occurring on regional roads during the previous calendar year.

“Traffic volume and collision rates decreased significantly on regional roads in 2020 when compared to 2019 and previous years. These decreases are largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the result of our communities’ adherence to provincial stay-at-home orders and other public health measures,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “As we continue to cautiously reopen and return to pre-pandemic activities, traveller safety when using York Region’s road network, whether walking, cycling, taking transit or driving, remains a priority for council."

In 2020, more than 30 per cent of fatal collisions on regional roads were related to speeding. Enforcement statistics over the past five years also identify speeding as the top traffic violation, representing more than 60 per cent of all traffic offences.

Stunt driving is another concern in York Region and across the province. York Regional Police reported stunt driving infractions almost doubled in 2020 when compared to 2019.

Additional key findings in the 2021 annual traveller safety report include:

• Annual traffic volumes decreased by 20 per cent to 50 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
• More than 60 per cent of all traffic offences were speed related and more than 30 per cent of fatal collisions are speed related
• Annual collision rate decreased by approximately 40 per cent
• Pedestrian collision rate decreased by 42 per cent
• Cycling collision rate decreased by 35 per cent
• Pedestrian and cycling collisions, 94 per cent and 84 per cent respectively, resulted in injury or death

“We have seen vehicle trips being used less during the pandemic, but in that same time, we have seen more people walking and cycling for recreation and exercise,” said Township of King Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Chair of the Region’s Transportation Services. “These travellers are most vulnerable and have a right to use the pedestrian and cycling facilities along the regional road network. Drivers can help by slowing down and following the rules on the road, designed to keep everyone safe.”

York Region continues to put measures in place to address safety concerns including:

• Implementing a region-wide 10 km/h speed limit reduction by time of day in school zones, using the new school zone maximum speed sign;
• Piloting a two-year limited use, automated speed enforcement program in school zones at select locations to reduce speed;
• Rehabilitation pavement programs that improve traction leading to a reduction in rear-end collisions as well as extending the life of the road.

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 54,000 businesses with 650,000 employees. More information about the region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices.