There’s no such thing as speeding a little: speeding is speeding

HAMILTON, ON –This month, the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Services are launching an education campaign targeting fast drivers. As part of the joint Vision Zero Action Plan, the education campaign is focused on transforming roadway safety with a simple goal: zero fatalities or serious injuries on roadways. Vision Zero emphasizes safe speeds, safe roads, safe vehicles and safe drivers.

Throughout March, the City and Hamilton Police will be targeting motorists driving above the speed limit with a familiar education campaign: There’s no such thing as speeding a little – speeding is speeding.

Speeding in excess of the posted speed limit is one of the largest contributing factors in the cause and severity of collisions. In February 2019, Hamilton City Council approved the Hamilton Strategic Road Safety Program and Vision Zero Action Plan that identified the need for reduced speed limits on residential roadways and in designated school zones to protect vulnerable road users. The City is actively working on the neighbourhood speed limit reduction strategy and is expected to reach its target of completing 233 neighbourhoods by March 2022. 

The City and Hamilton Police Services are encouraging motorists to:

• Give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to go. Leave earlier so you do not rush to your destination.
• Pay close attention to the speedometer. Pedestrians have a 41 per cent higher chance of survival if struck by a car driving 40 km/hr than a car driving 50 km/hr. 
• Be cautious: Do not speed through intersections, even if you have the right of way – especially if pedestrians and cyclists are present in the area.
• Be especially careful at night, early evening, early morning, or if the sun is in your eyes.
• Slow down for older pedestrians who need more time to cross the road or children playing near or crossing the street. 
• Be courteous to all pedestrians who share the road with you. 
• Stay alert and slow down on residential streets and through school zones.
• Practice safe, mindful driving habits to improve road safety and decrease road injuries and fatalities

Additional resources

• Neighbourhood Speed Limit Reductions
• Speeding & Safe Speeds