Last year, Toronto experienced the lowest number of traffic-related fatalities in a decade, coinciding with the removal of a significant road safety initiative from the city. Recent data from the city indicates that 39 individuals lost their lives on Toronto’s streets in 2025, a decrease from the already reduced numbers in 2020 when pandemic restrictions led to less traffic on the roads.
Among the fatalities recorded, there were 19 pedestrian deaths, 12 fatalities involving motorists, five motorcycle-related deaths, two cyclists, and one involving “micromobility” users like electric bike, e-moped, and e-scooter riders. This marks a significant decline compared to a decade ago when the city witnessed a peak in traffic deaths, with 78 individuals losing their lives in 2016, over half of them being pedestrians.
Following the alarming statistics in 2016, the City of Toronto launched its Vision Zero strategy aimed at eliminating traffic-related fatalities. This comprehensive plan includes various road safety measures such as street redesigns to discourage speeding, installation of speed and red light cameras, among others. Over the past decade since the strategy’s inception, there has been a consistent downward trend in traffic fatalities.
Despite the positive trend, concerns have been raised as one crucial component of the initiative, the city’s speed cameras, which had doubled in number to 150 in 2025, were dismantled in the fall due to new provincial legislation. This decision has sparked debates, with advocates emphasizing the effectiveness of speed cameras in reducing speeding and enhancing road safety.
Premier Doug Ford and his administration have criticized speed cameras as an ineffective measure and opted for large warning signs to deter speeding. This move has drawn criticism from road safety advocates and residents, particularly regarding the safety of school zones previously monitored by speed cameras.
Although the removal of speed cameras poses a setback, Vision Zero’s manager, Sheyda Saneinejad, assures that the strategy incorporates multiple safety layers to ensure road safety. Initiatives like speed humps, school crossing guard programs, and red light cameras are being expanded to compensate for the absence of speed cameras and further enhance road safety in Toronto.
While progress has been made towards achieving the Vision Zero goal, advocates stress the need for continued efforts to protect vulnerable road users and enhance street safety measures to prevent further tragedies. The focus remains on creating safer road environments that prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety over vehicle speed.
