Community Safety Zone Policy

Policy number: 2025-08

Effective date: 2025-11-03

Last revision date: 2025-11-03

1. Definitions

“Haldimand” means the Corporation of Haldimand County.

“Community Safety Zone” (CSZ) is a designated stretch of roadway where public safety is of special concern. The highway or a portion of a highway designated as such under by-law and signed pursuant to the regulations of the Highway Traffic Act

“Haldimand County Road Safety Committee” is a committee to review road safety concerns as raised by the public to assess and propose measures to improve roadway safety within Haldimand County.

“Eligible Collision” refers to any vehicular accident in which the primary cause is not attributed to uncontrollable events, including but not limited to adverse weather conditions, sudden medical emergencies affecting the driver, or impairment due to drugs or alcohol.

“Highway” includes a common and public highway, street, avenue, parkway, driveway, square, place, bridge, viaduct or trestle, any part of which is intended for or used by the general public for the passage of vehicles and includes the area between the lateral property lines thereof;

“Vulnerable road user" (VRU) is any individual who is at a higher risk of injury or death in traffic collisions due to their lack of physical protection compared to those in vehicles. Key examples include pedestrians, cyclists, and users of mobility devices like wheelchairs. Other VRUs may include road construction workers and emergency responders on the road

2. Policy Statement

Community Safety Zones (CSZ) have been identified as a potential traffic calming and safety measure for Haldimand County roads.

The implementation of Community Safety Zones serves as an important component of Haldimand County’s Traffic Management Strategy by highlighting to drivers sections of road network where safety is a particular concern due to the increased presence of vulnerable road users such as children or older adults. The doubling of traffic offence fines within the CSZ in accordance with Section 214.1 (6) of the Highway Traffic Act highlights the importance of road safety for all users and to modify driver behaviour within these areas.

The goal of a community Safety Zone is to change driver behaviour, including reducing speed and distracted driving, and improving safety on certain sections of road where public safety is of special concern.

3. Purpose

This policy provides a comprehensive process for determining the suitability of a candidate location as a Community Safety Zone. Community Safety Zones are locations where public safety is a concern and where increased enforcement and fines have the potential to address safety issues. The objective is to provide an evidence-based approach to assess the implementation of Community Safety Zones in designated areas with a higher road safety risk as identified through analysis of existing road conditions and traffic/pedestrian data. Staff will apply the warrant criteria as determined in this policy to determine which locations are appropriate for designation as a Community Safety Zone. Once staff have applied the policy to identify locations that are appropriate for designation as Community Safety Zone, by-laws will be brought forward for Council approval.

4. Scope

This policy will apply to roadways under the jurisdiction of Haldimand County. Haldimand County will identify, review and assess roadways in accordance with this policy that require enhanced traffic measures to support vulnerable road users.

Haldimand County’s Road Safety Committee to participate in the review process and provide comments on the proposed locations for implementation.

Warrant review can be initiated by either a public request process, or through an internal technical review by staff which have identified areas of concern.

The policy, and it’s attachment will be reviewed every five (5) years to ensure it continues to meet legislative requirements and the needs of the community.

4.1 Legislative Authority

Highway Traffic Act
Municipal Act to enact by-laws

5. Principles

Community Safety Zones are a tool identified and supported by Council as approved within the Traffic Management Strategy.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Engineering Services will receive requests, complete the warrant, present the recommendation to the Haldimand County Road Safety Committee, and prepare report to Council for approval of recommended locations.

Haldimand County Road Safety Committee will review Engineering Services' recommendations and provide comments prior to presentation to Council.