

Codi Wilson, CP24.com





Starting this week, speed limits on select streets in the city will be reduced in an effort to make local roads safer.

Coun. Josh Matlow, who initially brought the idea forward to council after seven-year-old Georgia Walsh was struck and killed by a vehicle in Leaside last summer, said 40 km/ h signs will be replaced by 30 km/ hour signs beginning in Ward 22.

The changes will affect 387 kilometres of local roads that fall within the Toronto and East York community council’s jurisdiction.

The changes will be taking place in 11 wards and Toronto's Transportation Services spokesperson Steve Johnston says the work is expected to take about one year to complete.

Matlow says the reduction in speed is in line with recommendations from a report by the city’s Medical Officer of Health.

The report suggests that pedestrians have a 20 per cent chance of being killed when hit by a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h and only a five per cent chance of death when that vehicle is travelling at 40 km/h.