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 11 Community Safety Zones and will grow to 104 Community Safety Zones (encompassing 233 individual streets). View a list of all Community Safety Zones in Vaughan (PDF).

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.

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Walk young children to school.
Encourage children to always obey the crossing guards.
Walk, don’t run, when crossing the street.
Pay attention to vehicular traffic while walking along or crossing roads.
Turn ear buds off and do not look down at phones when crossing intersections.
Obey all traffic rules and signals.
Ensure you are visible to drivers and cyclists, and make eye contact once they have stopped before crossing.
Cross at designated crosswalks, crossovers or controlled intersections.
Be mindful of slippery conditions on sidewalks and roadways.
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Reduce speed in school zones, especially when slippery conditions are present, and be ready to stop at all times.
Ensure to give yourself enough time to get to your destination.
Expect the unexpected. Children may cross the street at the wrong place, run into traffic or ride a bike in front of a vehicle without warning.
Stop for school buses and be aware of children running in front of or behind buses.
Avoid U-turns in school zones.
Do not pass other vehicles in a school zone.
Obey the rules of the road, including posted speed limits.
Abide by all parking and traffic regulations in school zones.
Obey crossing guard signals and yield to pedestrians.
Pay attention to the surroundings. Watch for and yield the whole roadway to pedestrians when approaching a pedestrian crossover. Failing to do so may result in fines of up to $1,000 and four demerit points.
Avoid distraction within the vehicle and ensure children are secured in a correctly installed child restraint seat.
Ensure children exit by the passenger side of the vehicle.
Keep fire routes and bus zones clear.
Leave nine metres (or 29 feet) between the car and the crosswalks and/or stop signs when parking. Parking too close to these locations makes it difficult to see children when crossing the road.
Avoid double parking in school zones.
Watch for signs indicating "No Stopping" and "No Parking."
Stay back 0.6 metres (or two feet) from private driveways to avoid upsetting residents.
When cycling or using a micromobility device, dismount before crossing the street.

Drive with care this school year
Gearing up for safer school zones
Get an A+ in school zone parking

Safer School Zones Plan

As part of MoveSmart, the City has retained an independent consultant to develop a Safer School Zones Plan, which will improve safety for vulnerable road users in school zone areas. The plan will include:

policies, guidelines and standards to improve pick-up and drop-off activity, enhance pedestrian safety, and address parking, speeding and traffic circulation around schools.
recommendations for additional road safety measures near schools, if required.
a review of Vaughan’s Active School Travel pilot program and recommendations to expand the program.
engagement and educational opportunities to enhance active school travel in Vaughan and encourage elementary and secondary school students to participate.

To ensure the success of the plan, we are working with various stakeholders, including York Region, York Catholic District School Board, York Region District School Board, York Region Public Health, York Regional Police, York Region Transit, elementary and secondary school principals, and parent councils to develop a comprehensive approach to school zone safety.

Safe school zones and the well-being of the community remain a top priority for the City. We continue to collaborate with stakeholders and leverage partnerships to raise awareness, share information and promote active and sustainable travel, as road safety is a shared value and responsibility.

The final plan is anticipated to be completed in 2024.