York Region wants your help to make roads safer

Public input welcome at Feb. 28 session, with 16,000 collisions per year and 100 resulting in serious injury

Newmarkettoday.ca
Feb. 10, 2023
Joseph Quigley

York Region wants your input on how to make your travel safer.

The region is developing a multi-year traveller safety plan and is hosting a public information session Feb. 28 to get input. The plan will cover issues like local and regional roads aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries.

“Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death and disability,” the region said, adding that the plan will “identify short-term and long-term solutions for the next five years and beyond to ensure the region and municipalities are doing their part in preventing injuries and fatalities on our roads.”

The region said that despite traffic safety initiatives efforts in recent years, collisions and injuries remain an issue, with 16,000 collisions per year and 100 resulting in serious injury. However, area collisions have declined according to York Region’s annual traveller safety reports, with collisions down in 2021 by seven per cent compared to 2020.

Still, as collisions continue, the region said that “a new and broader-based approach is required.”

The region said it is developing the plan in consultation with industry professionals and consultants. But it is looking for public input for experiences in road safety using various modes of travel, safety priorities and areas of concern that you can pinpoint on a map.

The virtual public information centre is running Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. You can register and find more information through the York Region website. You can send questions or concerns about the event to transportation@york.ca.

“Your input is important to us and will help with developing key focus areas to be included,” the region said.