Safety Zones

The City continues to implement various traffic calming measures to enhance our existing programs and ensure all road users, including those who walk, cycle, take transit or drive, are kept safe. 

Community Safety Zones 

A Community Safety Zone is a designated stretch of roadway marked with provincially legislated signs where public safety is of special concern. This can include roadways near schools, neighbourhoods, daycare centres, playgrounds, parks, hospitals and seniors’ residences. A Community Safety Zone is meant to encourage drivers to slow down and improve safety for all road users.

The purpose of a Community Safety Zone is to indicate to drivers that they are within a zone where fines are increased through a special designation under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. “Begins” and “Ends” signs are posted to show the legal speed limits within the area. The rules of the road do not change within a Community Safety Zone; however the penalties for violations are increased.

Community Safety Zones Policy

On Dec. 12, 2023, Council endorsed the Community Safety Zones Policy (PDF), which outlines a two-step process for the City to identify and determine the suitability of a location as a Community Safety Zone.
 

Sites were selected based on the:

• traffic volume, including heavy truck traffic.
• number of traffic lanes.
• sidewalk length.
• number of bus stops.
• traffic speeds and posted speed limits.
• collision history.

Under the policy, all school zones in Vaughan will be designated Community Safety Zones.

Vaughan currently has over 100 Community Safety Zones. Visit our interactive map to view Community Safety Zone locations City-wide.

School Zones 

As students make their way to and from class, there is more pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the road. It is important for drivers, parents and children to be alert, follow the rules of the road, and walk safely – especially in school zones.

Safer School Zones Plan

As part of MoveSmart, the City of Vaughan is committed to creating safer, more accessible school zones for students, parents and the community.  To support this plan, the City hired an independent consultant to develop a Safer School Zone Plan (SSZP), which aims to improve safety for vulnerable road users in school zone areas. 

The Safer School Zone Plan is a strategy designed to enhance safety in school zones across Vaughan. This plan establishes a consistent approach to assessing and improving school zones, while encouraging students to engage in active school travel.

The plan is now complete and City staff are working to implement its recommendations. 

Goals and Implementation

1. A primary goal of the SSZP is standardizing measures in and around school zones across the city. 

•   City staff will develop an internal School Zone Guideline to assess and execute best practices for both existing and new school zones. 

   2.  Another critical goal of the SSZP was to increase active school travel among students by focusing on behavior change. 

Implementing site-specific recommendations from the plan, categorized into short-, medium-, and long-term improvements, including:

• additional pavement markings
• signage upgrades
• new pedestrian crossovers

With the support of this plan, advancements have been made to expand Vaughan’s Active School Travel program into new schools.

The development of a standardized guideline ensures a consistent approach to school zone safety.  By promoting walking and cycling, the Active School Travel program helps manage traffic congestion and supports environmental sustainability.