Martow’s private members bill to reduce gridlock and improve traffic flow passes second reading

Vaughan Weekly
April 1, 2014
By Angela Gismondi

Thornhill MPP Gila Martow is focused on  tackling traffic and gridlock issues.

Martow presented her first Private Members Bill, Bill 181, Reducing Gridlock and Improving Traffic Flow Act, 2014.  and the bill  passed second Reading with the support of all parties Thursday at Queen’s Park. Martow, who was elected in the recent Thornhill byelection, said one of the biggest concerns she heard at the door was traffic congestion, gridlock and road safety.

“I took office just last month and I’m happy to report that my first private member’s bill passed Second Reading with the support of all parties,” said Martow. “I look forward to seeing this bill go through the committee process to address the crippling issue of gridlock in Ontario.”

When Bill 181 passes third reading and receives royal ascent, the bill requests the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services to convene an advisory committee within 60 days. The committee will be made up of highway incident management specialists to develop a comprehensive program to tackle gridlock.

“Gridlock is not just an economical problem, it is also a social issue and a health concern that affects all Ontarians,” Martow added. “People are driving longer to get to their destinations – commuters need to leave earlier and yet return home later.”

One aspect of Martow’s private members bill addresses minor collisions blocking traffic by encouraging drivers to report to the collision reporting centres. Passage of the bill will also create an advisory committee to address improvements to local roads. Two of Martow’s suggestions involved using newer forms of communication to inform commuters about traffic or transit disruptions in a timely fashion, as well as increasing the amount garbage collection and road repairs done during the night and weekends.

The advisory committee will have eight months to provide recommendations to address gridlock on Ontario’s highways and each Minister will have 60 days to advise the Legislative Assembly which recommendations they will implement.

Bill 181 will now be sent to the Standing Committee on Social Policy for review and consideration.

“Thornhill residents pay their fair share of taxes for transit and infrastructure, the time is now for governments to do their fair share,” said Martow.