Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program

Traffic speeds at various locations in Oakville are measured through the speed survey program. This program typically involves 150 surveys per year and is based mainly on reports of speeding from the public.

Traffic calming is a measure available to the town that can be used to mitigate speeding in instances where higher speeds have been observed and conventional methods of speed deterrence, such as enforcement and education, have not been effective. Some traffic calming examples include radar speed display signs, speed cushions, and raised barrier medians. For additional information on traffic calming visit the Traffic Calming page or visit the Traffic Calming Implementation Process page to learn how to initiate a request to implement traffic calming measures on your street.

The town's first pedestrian crossover was implemented in January 2017 at Navy Street and Church Street. The town’s Pedestrian Safety Program recommends over 170 pedestrian crossover locations be implemented across the town over the next 10-15 years. 

Existing Pedestrian Crossover Map

Visit the Pedestrian Safety page to learn the proper way to use them.

A Community Safety Zone (CSZ) is a section of a roadway designated through a by-law passed by Council to identify a segment of the road where public safety is of paramount concern. Community Safety Zones may include roadways near schools, daycare centres, active parks, hospitals, and senior citizen residences, and may also be used for collision prone areas within a community.

The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) currently allows municipalities to designate road segments as CSZs where public safety is of special concern and certain HTA fines (including speeding) are doubled. In June 2019, Council approved a report which recommended that CSZs be implemented at every 40 km/hour zone fronting an elementary school on a major road.

Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is an automated system that uses a camera and a speed measurement device to detect and capture images of vehicles travelling in excess of the posted speed limit.

ASE is designed to work in tandem with other road safety measures, such as traffic calming, community safety zones, speed display boards, education initiatives, and police enforcement, to help improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and our most vulnerable members of our population such as seniors and children.

Town Council recommended the use of 14 cameras to be installed and rotated through the town’s community safety zones beginning in spring 2023. 

How ASE works

When a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit in an ASE area, the ASE system captures an image of the vehicle. A provincial offences officer reviews the image and issues a ticket. The ticket, including a digital copy of the image and an enlargement of the license plate, is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days of the offence.

Tickets are issued to the owner of the vehicle regardless of who was driving. No demerit points will be issued.

Why the town uses ASE

ASE is proven to effectively enforce speed limits, increase driver awareness and decrease injuries and fatalities. A number of municipalities across Ontario have already implemented ASE.

ASE is about safety. Everyone has likely exceeded the speed limit at one time or another, but with clear signage posted, ASE is the reminder we all need to slow down and help keep our communities safe, especially in areas where people of all ages tend to walk, run, bike and play.

Learn more about ASE including frequently asked questions, on the ASE Ontario website.

In January 2021, Town Council voted to implement a plan to reduce the default speed limit from 50 km/hour to 40 km/hour on all local and minor collector roads. Currently in Oakville, the default speed limit on any road that is not signed is 50 km/hour. Council has directed staff to conduct a pilot study in three areas across town, and report back on findings in 2023. 

One of the key planning goals from the town’s Switching Gears Transportation Master Plan, is to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for all road users. The town currently has various initiatives to improve traffic safety under the Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program noted in this report, including education and outreach, network screening, and crossing guard programs. The town also recognizes the emerging Vision Zero philosophy that is gaining momentum worldwide for eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries among all road users by providing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. Vision Zero embraces the philosophy that all traffic deaths are preventable, and it is a shared responsibility amongst policymakers and designers to ensure a safety system for all road users.

A study to examine the town’s standing with respect to road safety performance and programs in light of the Vision Zero philosophy is underway. The findings and recommendations from this assignment will set the stage for guiding the development of a more detailed Vision Zero (or similar) program and action plan for Oakville.