Toronto Enhances School Safety with Vision Zero Measures as Students Return
Toronto, ON — As thousands of students head back to class across Toronto, the City has reinforced its commitment to student safety with updated Vision Zero road safety measures.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin (Don Valley West) joined Toronto District School Board Director of Education Clayton La Touche and Toronto Police Service Superintendent Matt Moyer at Owen Public School in North York this morning to welcome students back and highlight the City’s latest efforts to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
Updated Vision Zero Safety Measures
The City of Toronto continues to implement measures designed to protect students and other vulnerable road users:
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School Crossing Guard Program: More than 900 trained crossing guards are now stationed at intersections across the city to help children cross safely and remind drivers to slow down.
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School Safety Zones: Enhanced safety features — including pavement markings, flashing beacons, zebra-striped crosswalks, and Watch Your Speed signage — have been installed around 636 schools, with 55 more zones scheduled for completion this year.
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Speed Limit Reductions: Speed limits are being reduced to 30 km/h on all local roads and laneways, helping to curb speeding and minimize risks of severe collisions.
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Pedestrian Head Start Signals: Nearly 1,600 intersections now feature signals that allow pedestrians to begin crossing before vehicles move, improving visibility and reducing turning conflicts.
City of Toronto welcomes students back to school with updated Vision Zero road safety measures
News Release https://t.co/YurlwhkSfG pic.twitter.com/cFx4ufUgy7
— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) September 2, 2025
Resources for Families
The City has also published a Safety Guide for School Children and Parents, which includes advice on walking, cycling, wheeling, driving, and taking transit safely to and from school.
View the guide here.
More details about the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan can be found on the City’s website: Vision Zero Plan Overview.
What City Leaders Said
“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.”
— 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.”
— Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin (Don Valley West)
Toronto, with its population of more than three million, continues to position itself as a global leader in livability and urban safety, making road safety around schools a central focus this September.
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