Stop on red, protect a life ahead

Running a red light is dangerous and illegal, and it continues to be a problem at many major Mississauga intersections. According to CAA’s study at 20 intersections in Canada, one in every 770 pedestrians and one in every 500 cyclists in the country was involved in a high risk or critical risk near-miss. The majority of these near-misses involve right-turning vehicles (55 per cent for pedestrians and 50 per cent for cyclists). Running a red light means driving through an intersection after a traffic light turns red or not coming to a complete stop at a red light before making a right turn.

Running a red light has serious consequences and may result in a collision, life-altering injury or death. The City of Mississauga is reminding drivers to stop at red lights to help protect your own life and others – whether it’s a pedestrian, cyclist, transit user, passenger or another driver.

Drivers must come to a complete stop at red lights

Running a red light is considered aggressive driving that significantly contributes to collisions in the city. By law, drivers must stop at a red light and not enter the intersection. This includes before making a right turn. If drivers are making a right turn, they must come to a complete stop and check for pedestrians, cyclists and other traffic before proceeding. When the light turns yellow, drivers should slow down to a stop unless it’s unsafe to do so.

Peel Region has installed 19 red light cameras in Mississauga as a safety initiative to deter drivers from running red lights.

City’s review of 20 intersections

In 2023, the City led a review of intersections across Mississauga. Based on observations of driver behaviour at 20 intersections, it is estimated that an average of more than 240 drivers per year fail to stop at a red light at each location. That is more than 4,800 red light violations in one year at just 20 intersections. With hundreds of traffic signals across the city, this is a growing safety risk.

Working towards Vision Zero by improving intersections

The City is working towards the long-term Vision Zero goal of zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Mississauga roads. The City’s Vision Zero Action Plan has 99 actions that are being implemented over the next few years. This includes education around reminding drivers to come to a complete stop at red lights.

To learn more about other Vision Zero initiatives and actions, visit mississauga.ca/visionzero.

If you see a vehicle involved in dangerous and aggressive behaviour, you can report it to Peel Regional Police’s Road Watch program online: peelpolice.ca/en/report-it/make-a-report-online.aspx#What-types-of-reports-can-I-file-online

Tags

• Public Safety
• Roads and Traffic
• Transportation