The Ontario government has announced a major $210 million investment in traffic calming measures that will replace existing speed cameras across the province. This significant funding shift represents a new approach to road safety that prioritizes physical infrastructure over automated enforcement.
New Safety Strategy for Ontario Roads
The substantial investment, revealed in November 2025, marks a strategic pivot in how the province addresses speeding and dangerous driving. Rather than relying primarily on speed cameras for enforcement, the government is opting for permanent physical changes to road design that naturally encourage slower driving speeds.
This initiative comes as municipalities across Ontario have been seeking more effective ways to combat speeding in residential areas, school zones, and other high-risk locations. The funding will enable local governments to implement proven traffic calming measures that create safer environments for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
What Traffic Calming Measures Will Include
The $210 million investment will support the installation of various physical traffic calming infrastructure, including speed bumps, raised crosswalks, traffic circles, narrowed lanes, and extended curbs. These measures are designed to physically compel drivers to reduce their speed rather than relying on the threat of financial penalties through camera enforcement.
Evidence from municipalities that have already implemented such measures shows they can reduce vehicle speeds by 10-20% and decrease collisions by 25-40%. The physical presence of these features provides continuous traffic calming rather than the intermittent enforcement offered by speed cameras.
The funding announcement in November 2025 represents one of the largest single investments in traffic calming infrastructure in Ontario's history. Transportation officials emphasize that this approach addresses the root cause of speeding by making faster driving physically difficult rather than merely financially risky.
Implementation and Expected Impact
Municipalities across Ontario will be able to apply for funding through a provincial program designed to prioritize areas with the greatest demonstrated need for improved road safety. The program will particularly focus on locations near schools, parks, senior centers, and residential neighborhoods where vulnerable road users are most at risk.
Transportation experts note that while speed cameras have been effective in specific locations, they often simply displace speeding to other areas. Physical traffic calming measures, by contrast, provide permanent solutions that modify driver behavior through road design rather than enforcement alone.
The provincial investment is expected to roll out over the coming years, with priority given to communities that have identified specific safety concerns through traffic studies and resident complaints. The program represents a long-term commitment to creating safer road environments through intelligent design rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
This strategic shift aligns with international best practices in road safety that emphasize the importance of "self-explaining roads" where the design itself naturally guides drivers toward appropriate speeds and behaviors.
