The Town of Newmarket is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all members of our community. As part of our commitment, the Town launched its Safety Driven Campaign focusing on public education to reinforce positive driving habits and discourage negative habits like speeding and aggressive driving.
Be safety driven in Newmarket
Safety Cone Sam is the official mascot for the Safety Driven campaign. His goal is to spread the word about traffic safety and encourage residents to make a positive change in their neighbourhoods.
On this page
Traffic safety tips
- Be cautious when approaching intersections, crosswalks and stopped transit buses.
- Watch for pedestrians who may be walking against their signal, need more time to cross, or may be running to catch a bus.
- If traffic in other lanes is stopped or slowing on a green light, proceed with caution—those drivers may see something you can't.
- Be cautious when turning into an intersection, particularly at night, or when bright light may affect your view.
- Slow down on residential streets and in school zones—remember that the speed limit is a maximum, you don't have to drive to the limit.
- Watch for toys or other play equipment entering the road—children will usually follow.
- Even with the right of way, safe drivers drive defensively.
Follow the posted speed limit
There are many factors considered when the speed limit for a street is set, including the design of the road, where the road is located, and whether there are any schools nearby.
Did you know?
- The impact caused by a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h is the same as dropping the vehicle from a three-storey building.
- If you are travelling in a 60 km/h zone, for every 5 km/h over the speed limit you travel, you double your risk of being in an injury-causing accident.
- That means when you drive 70 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, you are four times more likely to be in an injury-causing accident.
- This is one of the reasons Newmarket has limited many streets to 40 km/h.
Source: Government of Western Australia Office of Road Safety, 2014
Don't drive distracted
Did you know?
- 15 fatalities in 2013 were attributed to distracted driving in Ontario alone.
- You are nine times more likely to be involved in an accident while reaching for something while driving.
- You are 23 times more likely to get into an accident while texting and driving.
Source: CAA, 2014
If you spot dangerous or aggressive driving behaviour, report it to the York Regional Police's Road Watch Program. This program provides residents with the means to report dangerous or unlawful driving behaviour such as speeding, unsafe lane changing, or disobeying traffic lights and stop signs. If the driving behaviour is an immediate threat to human safety, call 911.
Winter comes with living in Canada. These are some tips to ensure your winter travels are safe for yourself as well as those around you.
- Give yourself extra time for winter travel. Speed limits are just that—maximum limits designed for optimal summer driving conditions. These conditions are rarely seen during winter months, so drive according to the weather, not the limit.
- Be prepared with an emergency kit including food that won't spoil, water, a blanket, a first aid kit, a small shovel, a candle in a deep can and matches (for heat instead of running your engine), a whistle, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, etc.
- As the snow accumulates, so do the piles on the sides of the roads. Pay extra attention at crossings and driveways for pedestrians walking out from behind snowbanks.
- With the winter comes fewer daylight hours. Pay extra attention for pedestrians during early morning and early evening when it may be dark out.
With the sometimes unpredictable nature of winter weather, plan your trips according to the weather. Make sure you know the difference between a weather advisory, watch, and warning.
Advisories: The expected weather condition has a pretty good chance of occurring, even a likely chance of occurring, but typically an advisory is used for less severe types of weather conditions.
Watch: There is a chance a more severe weather condition will happen. Watches are usually issued for a large geographical area over a lengthy time period.
Warning: The weather is likely to occur or is already occurring—take proper protective measures. Warnings are usually issued for much smaller geographical areas and usually for shorter, more definite time periods.
During the school year, it is important to prepare your child with traffic and safety tips. It's also important for all drivers to be alert and cautious in the fall as we shift into school gear and more children are on the streets.
When driving, remember to slow down in school zones. Pay extra attention and look for the crossing guards' stop sign and signals. Use drop-off and pick-up zones on designated school property—these are separate from school bus loading and unloading areas. Not all school sites are designed with a drop-off and pick-up zone, please check with your child's school for more information.
Here are some reminders from Newmarket's safety mascot, Safety Cone Sam:
Walking to school
- Only cross the street at school crossing guard locations or at intersections.
- Be patient and take your cue to cross from the pedestrian walk signal, not the traffic lights.
- Be alert, pay attention to your surroundings, and avoid using your phone or wearing headphones that will distract you while crossing the street.
- If you aren't sure you have enough time to cross, don't take the chance—wait for the next signal.
Cycling to school
- Remember to always wear your helmet.
- Stay alert and keep your eyes on the road.
- Know your hand signals to communicate with other motorists. To learn more about cycling hand signals, visit our Cycling Safety page.
Follow crossing guard directions
- Stop at the crosswalk and wait for a signal and the first whistle alert from the crossing guard.
- Wait for the crossing guard to make their way to the middle of the intersection. Once it is safe to cross, the guard will sound the second whistle alert.
- Residents and school children can now make their way across the intersection.
- Once everyone has crossed safely, the crossing guard will sound their third and final whistle alert to signify the way is clear.
Pedestrian safety
Pedestrian safety starts with the pedestrian. Be alert, be aware of your surroundings, and follow these safe practices when travelling by foot.
As a pedestrian, your eyes are one of your most important tools. Make sure you use them to:
- Look both ways before you cross the street.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street to convey your intentions.
- Always press the button for the walk signal. This alerts the signal equipment you are there and will increase the time you have to cross.
- If you are not sure you have enough time to walk across the street, don't take the chance—wait for the next cycle.
- Avoid using any device that distracts you or impairs your hearing such as a music player or phone.
- Ensure you have a good range of vision. Clothing with hoods can obstruct your peripheral vision and prevent you from seeing approaching vehicles.
- Wear bright clothing or reflective materials, especially at night. Dark clothing may be fashionable, but is almost impossible to see in the dark.
- Avoid stepping out from between parked cars. Many parked vehicles, such as minivans or SUVs, can totally obstruct a driver's view of a pedestrian.
Watch the video below to learn more pedestrian safety tips.
For more information about pedestrian safety, please visit the Government of Ontario's page on pedestrian safety.
Safety Cone Sam
Safety Cone Sam is the official mascot for the Town of Newmarket's Safety Driven campaign. His goal is to spread the word about traffic safety in Newmarket and to encourage residents to make a positive change in their neighbourhood and community.
Look out for Safety Cone Sam at Newmarket events and learn more about traffic safety in Newmarket.
Safety Cone Sam is on X, formerly known as Twitter, providing safety tips and messages to ensure we are all Safety Driven. Follow @SafetyConeSam on X for helpful driving, cycling and pedestrian safety tips.
