Mississauga road users are being reminded to watch for pedestrians and students as shorter daylight hours reduce visibility, according to a City of Mississauga news release.
The reminder marks October’s Pedestrian Safety Month and International Walk to School Month. The City is highlighting road users’ responsibilities while encouraging students and families to continue using active transportation safely as the weather gets colder.
According to the City, the risk of collisions rises as daylight hours shorten. Darkness makes people on the road harder to see, and pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders are among those at greater risk of serious injury in a crash.
That safety message accompanies the City’s encouragement to keep outdoor activity part of the school-day routine. Walking, cycling or using a wheelchair or another mobility device to get to and from school are ways for students and families to remain active through the fall.
Routes support active school travel
Mississauga’s School Walking Routes program supports those trips. The program promotes travel to and from school on foot, by bicycle, by wheelchair or with other mobility devices.
School Route signs installed in neighbourhoods serve two purposes: they guide students travelling to school and remind drivers to look out for children. The City also reminds families choosing active travel to dress for the weather.
The October awareness effort addresses both the benefits of staying active outdoors and the visibility challenges that come with the season. The City’s reminder applies to all road users, alongside its encouragement for students to travel safely.
The City says it is continuing work toward its road safety goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries caused by roadway collisions. It also says it is implementing several initiatives this year to improve safety for road users.
Residents can find more information about the City’s road safety work at mississauga.ca/roadsafety.
