Community Safety Zones identify areas where public safety is a particular concern. They are designated along sections of roadway where extra attention to safe driving is especially important.

These areas may include locations near schools, parks, community centres, seniors’ residences and other places where people of different ages and abilities are walking, rolling, cycling and accessing community services.

Community Safety Zones remind drivers that the choices they make behind the wheel can have a direct impact on the safety of the people around them.

Community Safety Zones Help Protect Children. Older adults. People walking, rolling and cycling.

Whether someone is walking to a community centre, cycling through their neighbourhood, crossing the street with their family or simply trying to get where they need to go, everyone deserves to feel safe using their community’s streets.

Lives Depend on Your Choices

Every trip through a Community Safety Zone comes with a responsibility to look out for the people around you.

Slowing down, staying focused and being prepared to stop can make all the difference.

What Is a Community Safety Zone?

A Community Safety Zone is a designated section of roadway where public safety is of special concern.

Drivers will recognize these areas by Community Safety Zone signs posted along the roadway. In Ontario, certain traffic offences committed within a Community Safety Zone are subject to increased fines.

But signs and increased penalties alone don’t make a street safe.

Drivers do.

The safest Community Safety Zone is one where everyone behind the wheel recognizes that they are travelling through an area where extra attention and care are needed.

Why SAFE Speeds Zones?

SAFE Speeds Zones was created by the Ontario Traffic Council to encourage safer choices behind the wheel and help protect everyone who shares Ontario’s streets. The campaign is built around a simple message: SAFE – Streets Are For Everyone.

The campaign focuses on three areas where drivers need to exercise particular care:

School Zones | Community Safety Zones | Construction Zones

SAFE Speeds Zones gives municipalities across Ontario consistent road safety messaging and campaign resources they can use to educate their communities and encourage safer driving behaviours.

At the centre of the campaign is a simple reminder:

Lives Depend on Your Choices.

Every time you drive, your decisions matter. Your speed, your attention and your willingness to stop can make the difference in helping someone reach their destination safely.

Driving Through a Community Safety Zone?

Obey the Law

Don’t Speed

Drive the posted speed limit.

Slowing down gives you more time to recognize what’s happening around you and respond when someone enters or crosses the roadway.

Stop When Required

Fully stop at stop signs, crosswalks, and for school crossing guards.

Look carefully before proceeding and give people the time and space they need to cross safely.

Never Drive Impaired

Alcohol, cannabis and other drugs can affect your ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Stay Alert

Focus

Be aware of your surroundings.

Community Safety Zones can include people of different ages and abilities moving in different ways. Pay attention to what’s happening on the road, sidewalks, crossings and surrounding areas.

Avoid All Distractions

Driving requires your full attention.

Put distractions away and keep your focus on the road and the people around you.

Be Prepared to Stop

Conditions can change quickly.

A child may approach a crossing. An older adult may need more time to cross. A cyclist may enter your path.

Stay alert and be prepared to stop.

Every Choice Matters

A Community Safety Zone isn’t made safer by a sign alone.

It’s made safer every time a driver:

Slows down.
Pays attention.
Avoids distractions.
Obeys the law.
Is prepared to stop.

Those individual choices add up to safer streets and stronger communities.

Our Shared Responsibility

Safe Kids.
Strong Community.
Better Tomorrow.

SAFE – Streets Are For Everyone.

Bring SAFE Speeds Zones to Your Community

Help reinforce safer driving in Community Safety Zones in your municipality.

SAFE Speeds Zones campaign materials are available for municipalities to use in local road safety education and communications, including social media graphics, posters, videos and other campaign resources.