The Government of Ontario intends to introduce new legislation to give municipalities additional tools to make Toronto streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

The intended legislation, if passed, would allow the municipalities to introduce automated speed enforcement (ASE) technology, which automatically takes pictures of speeders' licence plates, on municipal roads in community safety zones and school zones.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said: “We have heard from Torontonians, safety advocates and city officials that too many injuries and deaths in this community are being caused by drivers who speed.

"We can help change that.

"Our intent is to give municipalities more tools to help make our neighbourhoods safer.”

Intended to help address the rise of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists, the legislation would also give Toronto the ability to create zones with reduced speed limits, which have been shown to decrease the severity of pedestrian-vehicle collisions.

"The City of Toronto has long been a strong advocate for tougher measures to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists."

Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca said: “The City of Toronto has long been a strong advocate for tougher measures to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

"These proposed measures would strengthen road safety in school zones and help make streets safer for all Torontonians.”

Making roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians of all ages by giving municipalities options to enforce traffic laws is part of Ontario's plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Image: Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario meeting children. Photo: courtesy of Queen's Printer for Ontario.