Adequacy Standards
Traffic Management, Enforcement and Road Safety Policy

Policy No: 06/08
Effective Date: July 26, 2000
Amended Date: November 26, 2003 
Amended: January 23, 2008
Reviewed Date: 2010

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Policy Statement

The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board (‘the Board’) supports the York Regional Police in improving the quality of life of citizens in York Region by being the benchmark of excellence in road safety. Furthermore, the Board is committed to improving road safety through public awareness and education and strict, fair and visible enforcement. 

The Board recognizes, however, that road safety is a civic responsibility, and that citizens must improve their driving behaviour in the interest of public safety. Therefore, the Board urges all drivers to assist the York Regional Police in preventing collisions, injuries and loss of life on streets and highways by driving responsibly, using seatbelts, obeying speed limits, and stopping at all red lights and stop signs. 

The Board supports the year-round Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) program of the York Regional Police, and urges all drivers to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

The Board also supports the Community Safety Village of York Region which provides excellent lessons in the fundamentals of traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety in the controlled environment of a miniature village.

Policy requirements set out in this document shall form part of the Police Services Board Policy Manual and the Chief of Police shall comply with these requirements in directing the York Regional Police.

 

1.     Application and Scope

This policy applies to the Chief of Police and York Regional Police. 

2.    Purpose

This policy supports York Regional Police traffic education and enforcement activities to protect the safety of pedestrians, drivers, passengers and cyclists.

It provides guidelines to the Chief of Police in establishing procedures on traffic management, enforcement and road safety.

3.    Statutory Authority

Section 29 of the Adequacy Standards Regulation requires a Police Services Board to have a policy on traffic management, traffic law enforcement and road safety.

4.    Policy Guidelines

4.1    The Chief of Police shall develop, implement and evaluate a traffic management, traffic law enforcement and road safety plan which will include local road safety initiatives developed in consultation with municipalities, York Region’s Health Services Department, Boards of Education, and community groups.

4.2    The Chief of Police shall establish procedures on traffic management, traffic law enforcement and road safety, including procedures to address road closures and minimize the interference of traffic.

4.3    The Board expects York Regional Police to work with municipalities in addressing residential traffic complaints, school zones and community safety zones.

4.4    The Board expects York Regional Police to work in partnership with York Region Transportation and Works Department, Go Transit, the Ministry of Transportation, and Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railway Police in improving road safety.

4.5    The York Regional Police will provide its own technical collision investigation, reconstruction and breath analysis investigative supports. 

4.6    The Chief of Police shall ensure that Members of York Regional Police who provide technical collision investigation reconstruction and breath analysis investigative supports have the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide that support. 

4.7    The Chief of Police shall ensure that police officers who use, maintain or calibrate any speed measuring/timing devices and approved screening devices and instruments for alcohol related investigations have the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform these functions.

4.8    The Board and the Chief of Police shall review resources allocated to traffic management, enforcement and road safety in developing Business Plans for the York Regional Police.

5.    Reporting Requirements

5.1    The Chief of Police shall include traffic violations and motor vehicle collisions, including trends, in the York Regional Police Statistical Reports to the Board. 

5.2    The Chief of Police shall report to the Board on traffic enforcement occurrences and the effectiveness of road safety initiatives in the York Regional Police Annual Report.

5.3    The Chief of Police shall advise the Board of exceptional circumstances, when they arise. 

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