On the day that Ontario’s school zone speed safety cameras went dark, walkers representing parents, traffic crash victims, and seniors delivered nearly 10k petition signatures to the Premier and traveled a “marathon” on the streets surrounding his constituent office in Etobicoke. Their message was simple: this isn’t over, we will go the distance and keep fighting to protect Ontario’s kids from speeding drivers.
The event — “We Won’t Stop Until Speeding Does: A Marathon Walk to Save the Speed Safety Camera Program and Protect Ontario’s Kids” — kicked off on Friday, November 14 at noon, beginning at Doug Ford’s Constituency Office.
Before starting the Marathon Walk, parents and traffic crash survivors attempted to deliver nearly 10k petitions to the premier, alongside a letter requesting a meeting. They were shocked to see that the office was dark and unattended on a Friday afternoon. Having no other option, all the petitions and the meeting request letter were slid under the door.
The walkers then began circumnavigating the block roughly 101 times (equal to 42.2 kilometers). The event concluded at roughly 9:00pm.
Participants said they were walking in protest of the speed safety camera program being shut down, and because the Ford government is exposing Ontario’s most vulnerable road users – kids – to increased danger as they get to and from school every day.
New participants joined throughout the day, some having seen the event on television or social media and attending at the spur of the moment.
“Our kids can’t fight speeding drivers – but we can,” said Thomas DeVito, a Toronto Father, and volunteer co-founder of Parents Against Speeding. “Premier Ford needs to stop siding with the small percentage of people who drive dangerously near schools and start siding with parents who just want their kids to come home safe. I am walking for my three-year-old, Goldie. I know thousands of parents across Ontario are going to keep fighting, too.”
Those walking today carried their stories – and a warning.
“I was severely injured when I was struck at high speed by a motorist. My spine was broken and my brain was damaged. I almost died twice in the aftermath. A speed safety camera could have prevented my life and future from being blown up. No parent would ever want what happened to me to happen to their own child. For a child to be injured or killed by a motorist is every parent’s worst nightmare, and many members of FFSS are living in the aftermath of this unspeakable devastation. It’s impossible for us to understand why our provincial government is hell-bent on destroying a proven, effective system that keeps kids safe.” said Jess Spieker, spokesperson for Friends and Families for Safe Streets
Data from Sick Kids show that locations with automated speed enforcement saw a 45% reduction in drivers exceeding the limit, and a marked drop in collisions. Ford’s government has only offered untruths and deflection.
Organizers demanded a meeting with the Premier and the restoration of the speed safety camera program near Ontario’s schools.
Some of the media coverage:
- CTV: ‘Kids in Ontario woke up to a more dangerous environment’ | Parents speak against speed camera ban
- CP24: Speed Enforcement Ban is Now In Effect (9 minutes in)
- Global National (10 minutes in)