Automated Speed Enforcement in Toronto School Zones: Evidence of Safer Speeds

Dr. Rothman will present the results of a collaborative study between SickKids, Toronto Metropolitan University and the City of Toronto. The study evaluated the impact of automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras in school zones across Toronto between 2020 and 2022. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research measured vehicle speeds before, during, and after camera deployment at 250 sites. The findings showed a 45% reduction in the proportion of vehicles speeding, a 10 km/h drop in the 85th percentile speed, and an 87% decrease in severe speeding (20 km/h or more over the limit) when cameras were active. The study highlights ASE as an effective tool for improving safety in school zones by reducing dangerous driving speeds.

Speaker

Dr. Linda Rothman

Linda Rothman is an Associate Professor at the School of Occupational and Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University and an Associate Professor (status only) at the University of Toronto. She is an epidemiologist with expertise in vulnerable road user injuries in urban environments. She holds several Canadian Institutes of Health Research grants, including the Healthy Cities CapaCITY/É implementation science team grant involving researchers working together with municipalities across Canada and Australia to examine the implementation and evaluation of interventions focused on speed reduction and All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Networks.