City of Toronto welcomes college students again to high school with up to date Vision Zero highway security measures – City of Toronto

News Release

September 2, 2025

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin (Don Valley West) had been joined by Toronto District School Board Director of Education Clayton La Touche and Toronto Police Service Superintendent Matt Moyer to welcome college students and workers of Owen Public School in North York again from their summer season break. 

As college students return to school rooms, the City of Toronto is reminding all highway customers to remain alert and comply with the highway guidelines, particularly throughout busy morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups when pedestrian, bike owner and automobile visitors will increase round faculties. 

The City continues to roll out security measures, applications and initiatives beneath its up to date Vision Zero Road Safety Plan to assist defend children and different weak highway customers together with: 

• School Crossing Guard Program: More than 900 skilled crossing guards are deployed at intersections throughout town to assist youngsters cross streets safely and confidently and remind drivers of the presence of pedestrians. 
• School Safety Zones: Highly seen designated stretches of highway round faculties with Watch Your Speed signage, pavement markings, flashing beacons, zebra markings (white stripes on the roadway) at crosswalks and extra to make sure drivers know they’re in a School Safety Zone and drive with further warning. So far, the City has put in School Safety Zones round 636 faculties and is aiming to put in 55 extra by the tip of this yr. 
• Speed restrict reductions: The City is reducing pace limits to 30 km/h on all native roads and laneways to assist cut back dashing and reduce traffic-related fatalities.  
• Pedestrian Head Start Signals: Nearly 1,600 intersections throughout town – together with 244 put in final yr – are geared up with a Pedestrian Head Start Signal that permits pedestrians to start crossing the road earlier than automobiles get a inexperienced sign, rising pedestrian visibility and decreasing conflicts with turning automobiles. 

More details about the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan is accessible on the City’s web site. 

The City’s Safety Guide for School Children and Parents contains essential info and recommendation on strolling, biking, wheeling, driving or taking the bus to and from college. Learn extra about this information by visiting the City’s web site. 

Quotes:
“We are all responsible for making sure students get to and from school safely and confidently. Injuries and deaths on our roads are preventable and we need to keep working hard toward Vision Zero and protecting vulnerable road users. When we combine safer road designs, engineering and technology with thoughtful behaviour from everyone using our streets, we help build a city where everyone can feel safe on our roads.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow 

“As students return to school, it’s important that all road users are more mindful, which means slowing down near school zones, following posted parking signage, giving ample space to cyclists, and watching for children crossing the street. September brings a significant increase in road user activity and we all need to do our part to support students travelling to and from school safely. With that in mind, I continue to encourage families to use active transportation as a healthier and more sustainable way to get to school.”
– Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin (Don Valley West) 

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