Item - 2014.TE34.196
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Toronto and East York Community Council on August 12, 2014 and was adopted with amendments. City Council has delegated authority for this matter to the Toronto and East York Community Council and therefore, the decision is final.
TE34.196 - Taking an Evidence Based Approach to Traffic Safety on Ward 22's Local Neighbourhood Streets
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Schedule Type:
- Delegated
- Ward:
- 22 - St. Paul's
Community Council Decision
The Toronto and East York Community Council requested:
1. Transportation Services staff to report back to the first Toronto and East York Community Council meeting of the next term of Council on lowering the speed limit to 30 km/h on all local streets and, where possible, collector roads, within areas designated by the City's Official Plan as "Neighbourhood" in the Toronto and East York Community Council area.
2. Transportation Services staff to report back to the first Toronto and East York Community Council meeting of the next term of Council with any regulation changes, or improvements to road design or streetscaping that would reduce the speed of traffic on Oriole Parkway from Lonsdale Road to Chaplin Crescent, including the possibility of reducing the speed limit to 40km/h.
Origin
Summary
Protecting our children, along with all other pedestrians, cyclists and drivers is a top priority for Toronto residents.
While there are some tragic accidents that no traffic calming measure will prevent, that doesn't negate the City of Toronto's responsibility to everything possible to improve the safety of our neighbourhoods.
Recently, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto recommended reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h on most residential streets. His report noted that pedestrians have an over 20% chance of dying when hit by a car travelling at 40 km/h but fatality rates decrease to less than 5% when hit by a car that travels at 30 km/h. After 30 km/h zones were introduced in London, England, these zones experienced a 42% reduction in fatalities.
Given that the research indicates that reducing the speed limit from 40 km/h to 30 km/h can be the difference between life and death, I am requesting City staff to provide recommendations to Toronto and East York Community Council to lower the speed limit, to 30 km/h on local streets and where possible, collector roads within areas designated by the City's Official Plan as "Neighbourhood" in Ward 22.
This measure is also meant to decrease traffic incursion into our neighbourhoods by creating a disincentive for drivers to leave arterial roads in favour of shortcuts through residential neighbourhoods. Moreover, it is meant to provide more consistency and predictability to everyone who shares Ward 22's local neighbourhood streets.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-72729.pdf
Motions
That Recommendation 1 in the letter (August 8, 2014) from Councillor Matlow be amended to read as follows:
1. Transportation Services staff report back to the first Toronto and East York Community Council meeting of the next term of Council on lowering the speed limit to 30 km/h on all local streets and, where possible, collector roads, within areas designated by the City's Official Plan as "Neighbourhood" in the Toronto and East York Community Council area.
That the Toronto and East York Community Council adopt the recommendation in the letter (August 8, 2014), subject to adding the following new Recommendation 2:
1. Transportation Services staff report back to the first Toronto and East York Community Council meeting of the next term of Council with any regulation changes, or improvements to road design or streetscaping that would reduce the speed of traffic on Oriole Parkway from Lonsdale Road to Chaplin Crescent, including the possibility of reducing the speed limit to 40km/h.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Aug-12-2014
| Result: Carried | Majority Required |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 12 | Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão, Janet Davis, Paula Fletcher (Chair), Mary Fragedakis, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Gord Perks, Ceta Ramkhalawansingh, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 0 | Members that were absent are |