Durham Region encourages road safety during Campus Safety Week

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham, in partnership with Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), is supporting Campus Safety Week at Ontario Tech University and Durham College (January 9 to 13) by encouraging pedestrian, driver and cyclist safety on school campuses and in surrounding areas. This support aligns with Durham Vision Zero’s public campaign to create safer roads for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Everyone has a role to play in ensuring the safety of our community. This is especially important in school campus areas due to the high volume of pedestrians, drivers and cyclists.

Unfortunately, when collisions involve pedestrians, they almost always result in injury, and are often serious. That’s why it’s crucial that everyone keeps these safety tips in mind when using our roadways:

Pedestrians

• Always cross at pedestrian crosswalks, school crossings, or at an intersection with a traffic control sign or stop sign.
• Be sure that drivers see you by making eye contact with motorists before attempting to cross a road.
• Stay alert by not wearing headphones or using your phone or other devices when crossing the road.
• Do not attempt to cross until traffic has come to a complete stop.
• Take extra caution when crossing the road in the dark, especially when wearing dark-coloured clothing, as motorists often have more difficulty seeing pedestrians in the dark.

Drivers and cyclists

• Pay special attention to crosswalks and the sidewalks leading to the intersection when you approach, even if you have a green light.
• Stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers, school crossings and other crossing locations. Only proceed when all pedestrians have crossed and are safely on the sidewalk.
• At night and during inclement weather, be sure to slow down and be extra cautious and vigilant for pedestrians.
• Be aware of your condition, your vehicle’s condition, and any distractions before you start driving.
• Be safe by following the rules of the road and never driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol or while using your cell phone.
• Avoid aggressive and dangerous driving behaviours, such as speeding, distracted driving, drug or alcohol-impaired driving

Note: Durham Vision Zero is our long-term plan to ensure a safe transportation system that envisions a future that sees no serious injuries or lives lost on Durham’s roadways. Learn more at durham.ca/VisionZero.

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For media inquiries, contact Corporate Communications.