Karygiannis – New Vision Zero Plan is not accelerated enough

TORONTO – Jim Karygiannis, City Councillor for Ward 39, Scarborough-Agincourt, is expressing concern that the new accelerated Vision Zero Plan announced by Mayor Tory, while welcome, will take too long to protect our children.

The Vision Zero Road Safety Plan (Vision Zero Plan) is a comprehensive action plan focused on reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto’s streets. The Plan prioritizes the safety of our most vulnerable road users, through a range of initiatives.

“While it is important to ensure the safety of all pedestrians, it is paramount that we ensure the safety of our children as they go to and from school.” said Councillor Karygiannis.  “We have already lost two children this year.  As elected officials, it is our responsibility to take all necessary measures to protect our children.”

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) operate 790 schools, primary, secondary and adult, between them.  The accelerated Vision Zero Plan will establish measures to slow down traffic around 80 schools in 2018, instead of the 20 schools in the original Vision Zero Plan

“The new Vision Zero Plan will leave 710 schools without new measure to slow down traffic.” Councillor Karygiannis stated.  “If the Vision Zero Plan goes back to the original number of 20 schools per year, it will take 35 years to have measures at all the schools.  If the new Vision Zero Plan continues to 80 schools per year – it will take almost 9 years to have measures at all schools.”

A number of concerned constituents have approached Councillor Karygiannis asking: 

• Who will decide which schools should be the priority schools?

• If a School and its community identify a problem, where will they fit in the 9 – 35 year time frame?

 “The schools and community know where the problems are.  Different schools will need the different measures to slow down traffic.” Councillor Karygiannis commented.  “We must listen to those who are most affected – the schools, the parents and the community at large.”nen

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Jim Karygiannis
Councillor Ward 39
Scarborough-Agincourt
100 Queen Street West, Suite A1
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Phone: 416-392-1374
Fax.: (647) 723 0278
jim@karygiannis.net
www.karygiannis.net

@jimkarygiannis

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