Vision Zero Road Safety Initiative
Niagara Region's goal is to improve road safety for all users. Improving road safety, and reducing speeding and dangerous driving are key priorities.
Regional staff often deal with safety concerns raised by residents about speeding on Regional roads. Speed is a basic risk factor in traffic. It is also a primary cause of crashes, often contributing to serious injury or death.
Higher driving speeds lead to higher crash rates and a greater likelihood of more severe outcomes. The faster a vehicle is driven, the higher the risk in being involved in a crash. This is partly due to the longer braking distance, human reaction time and the law of physics.
A review of collision data by Public Works from 2015 to 2019 shows that the total number of collisions are increasing on our roads. This highlights the need for safety measures.
Our Vision Zero Road Safety Initiative aims to:
- Eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries
- Increase safe, healthy and fair mobility
- Consider all active modes of transportation, such as driving, walking and cycling
- Reduce all collisions by promoting major road safety initiatives across Niagara
Road safety programs
Niagara Region completed presentations at all 12 local municipalities and received unanimous approval to move forward with elements of Vision Zero - automated speed enforcement and red light cameras.
These programs are either in place or development to reduce the number of collisions and fatalities on Regional roads.