York Region encourages drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to not be distracted

May 14, 2024
image of a road intersection

York Region is seeing a rise in distracted behaviour on Regional roads. On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, York Region, along with partners from York Regional Police, Ministry of Transportation and the Canadian Automobile Association, gathered at a road safety event at Islington Avenue and Rutherford Road intersection in the City of Vaughan reminding travellers to not be distracted. Canada Road Safety Week is May 14 to 20, 2024.

York Region and its partners have a collective commitment to safety, health and well-being of all within our communities. A multi-year distracted behaviour campaign will help engage and educate residents and travellers to support a reduction in collisions on our roads. 

York Regional Council recently approved the multi-year York Region Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan to reduce severe collisions and create safer traveller experiences. The Traveller Safety Plan is driven by an international initiative called Vision Zero, developed using global road safety best practices to reduce severe collisions, which are defined as collisions resulting in serious injury or death. To support this vision, a short-term target has been set to reduce severe collisions by 10% within five years (2024 to 2028). 

Distracted driving countermeasures in the Traveller Safety Plan include education initiatives, rumble strips, guide rail upgrades, enhanced pavement markings and enforcement.

Key facts:

  • Between 2018 and 2019, collisions involving distracted driving behaviours contributed to 20% of fatal and injury collisions across York Region 
  • 44% of Ontario drivers admitted to driving distracted in 2023 compared to 40% in 2022; despite the fines, there has been an increase of people texting while driving 
  • 12% of distracted drivers have been in a vehicle collision that was caused by distracted driving, while four out of 10 pedestrians in Ontario and one in four cyclists said they have been involved in a collision or close call 
  • More than 90% of Ontarians aged 16 to 24 are aware of Ontario’s law banning texting while driving; yet 55% reported reading texts and 44% reported sending texts while driving 
  • York Region’s Traveller Safety Plan recommends more than 100 countermeasures, including engineering and technology solutions, public engagement, education and heightened enforcement to reduce risk of collision; specific countermeasures include automated speed enforcement, intersection improvements, pedestrian and cycling measures, red light cameras, school zone speed reductions, speed feedback boards and roundabouts

For more information, visit york.ca/Distracted