York Region and York Regional Police are reminding drivers and pedestrians alike to stay safe on streets as the days become darker earlier.
The organizations held a traffic safety event at Mulock Drive and College Manor Drive in Newmarket Nov. 8, handing out safety items to passersby at the busy intersection. The annual event aims to highlight traffic safety as conditions get more dangerous after daylight savings time comes into effect.
York Regional Police Const. Todd Snooks said visibility is impacted at this time of the year, so drivers and pedestrians need to be sure to be aware.
“Over and over again, even for ourselves out there as we’re driving as officers, we have to be vigilant and we have to be aware and attentive, especially at intersections,” Snooks said.
York Region said November has the highest number of pedestrian-involved collisions annually due to shorter daylight hours. The region runs information campaigns each year around the time, reminding pedestrians to stay visible. As pedestrians came through, representatives handed out things like handbags, backpacks and reflective lights to help them be more visible in dark conditions.
York Region manager of traffic safety and signal systems Nelson Costa said it is vital drivers are vigilant and pedestrians are visible.
“We’re really trying to invest in the safety and well-being of our communities and we believe this event is helping with that,” Costa said.
The intersection was chosen as one of the busiest in Newmarket, located between multiple schools and the Magna Centre, Costa said. But it is also a place where York Region has implemented many traffic safety initiatives, including slow-down road markings and an automated speed camera due to come into place permanently by the end of the year.
Earlier this year, York Region council approved a Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan, to eventually bring serious traffic injuries and deaths down to zero. In the shorter term, it will attempt to reduce severe collisions by 10 per cent in the next five years.
Snooks said one of the biggest problems police find is drivers taking right-hand turns on red lights where they are not fully stopping and checking the area for pedestrians crossing. The same applies to left-hand turns, he said.
Besides drivers staying vigilant for that, Snooks said pedestrians should try to make themselves more visible.
“It’s two-fold, we do say to pedestrians, make sure you're visible. Wearing dark clothing at night is not safe,” he said.
The hope is that an event like this can get both drivers and pedestrians to change their behaviours, Snooks said.
More information and tips are available at the York Region website.
