Speed limits and signage among approved changes in ongoing effort to improve Regional road safety

May 1, 2025

Niagara Region approved a series of transportation measures, including speed limit and signage changes, as part of an ongoing effort to improve safety on the Regional road network.

Following the launch of the Automated Speed Enforcement program in Niagara Region in 2023, residents expressed concerns that the current signage and speed limits in Community Safety Zones are confusing for drivers. This review identified ways to simplify signage and review speed limits near schools within Community Safety Zones to make the process easier for residents and drivers to understand.

To provide clearer and greater consistency around speed limits and signage, Council recently approved the following main actions:

Creating clear criteria for the approval of school zones and when speed limits should be reduced in these zones
Moving to consistent, constant speed limits that apply at all times of the day in most school zones
Improving signage and introducing additional traffic calming measures to further improve safety

These changes will be implemented throughout the month of May at schools located within eight Community Safety Zones. Visit niagararegion.ca to learn more about these locations.

Residents can expect to see the following changes:

Speed limit signs will be changed to those that apply at all times of the day for most school zones. For clarity, speed limits will continue to be reduced in areas directly in front of schools only, with the remainder of the Community Safety Zone remaining at the normal posted speed limit.
Traffic calming measures such as flex-post bollards and new pavement markings will be implemented.
Where Automated Speed Enforcement is to be used, community members may notice preparation work being completed to install cameras and make changes to on-road signs for automated speed enforcement. During this phase, some signs may read 'in-use' as part of the testing process.
Speed enforcement will not begin until all traffic calming measures are fully installed and operational in these areas.

This is the first phase of a broader road safety rollout. Speed limit and signage updates in additional Community Safety Zones will continue throughout 2025 and 2026. These measures are all part of Niagara Region’s Vision Zero plan, which is aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and injuries on the Regional road network.

Media contact

Jason Misner
Communications Consultant
Niagara Region
905-980-6000 ext. 3215
jason.misner@niagararegion.ca