Kitchener makes progress towards Vision Zero goal

The City of Kitchener is reminding residents that we all have a role to play in eliminating serious injuries or deaths due to traffic collisions. The city has released a new promotional video, “Traffic Collisions are not Accidents,” as it continues various projects aimed at improving traffic safety throughout Kitchener.

“Traffic safety is a top issue for Kitchener residents,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “We’re continuing to work with the Waterloo Regional Police Service, Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, and the City of Waterloo to implement evidence-based solutions to improve traffic safety. But we also have a role to play as individuals – by making safe driving decisions every day, we can significantly reduce the number of people being seriously hurt on our roads.”

Along with ongoing public education efforts, the City of Kitchener’s Vision Zero strategy includes a number of engineering projects that improve traffic safety. These include annual hot spot improvements, traffic calming, and sidewalk infill work installed or currently underway at dozens of locations throughout Kitchener for 2023. This includes 450 meters of sidewalk infill, two pedestrian refuge islands, three raised crosswalks, two intersection improvement locations, and 22-speed humps/speed cushions locations.

“I’m happy to see traffic safety improvements being implemented across Kitchener,” said Councillor Margaret Johnston, Community & Infrastructure Services Committee chair. “We often hear from residents about their traffic safety concerns, and I’m proud that we’re making strategic improvements in key locations. But Vision Zero is a long-term goal, and we have to all remain committed to doing our part as community members as we work toward this goal in the coming years.”

To watch the latest Vision Zero promotional video, visit the City of Kitchener’s YouTube channel.

The City of Kitchener’s Vision Zero Strategy provides a framework to improve street safety for all street users regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. This strategy aims to achieve zero serious injuries and fatalities on City of Kitchener streets. To find out more and read the full strategy, visit www.kitchener.ca/VisionZero.

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For more information

Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications
City of Kitchener
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca