As we head out on the roads this holiday season, it’s important to remember that we are all taking a risk. Whether we’re driving to visit family and friends or simply running errands, we need to be aware of the potential dangers and take steps to protect ourselves and others.
Road collisions continue to be a problem in Mississauga. Many residents have lost their lives in road collisions that were preventable or could have been avoided. This time of year, there is a higher risk of collisions on Mississauga roads. Reduced daylight hours can impact visibility, winter weather can cause challenging road conditions and there are more road users travelling around Mississauga celebrating the holidays. Whether you’re walking, cycling, taking transit or driving, the City of Mississauga reminds you to stay alert and safe when travelling around the city.
“There’s always a lot to celebrate this time of year, but it’s important to do so responsibly. We want to make sure everyone gets to their destination and home again safely,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works. “If you’re driving, avoid distractions, drive to weather conditions and don’t drive impaired – you can designate a driver, use MiWay to get around or use a rideshare program or taxi. If you’re walking, cycling, taking transit or using another mode of transportation, remember to stay alert and use crosswalks or crossrides when possible.”
According to Peel Regional Police, impaired driving (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol) and distracted driving continue to be a concern in Mississauga.
“We are proud to partner with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada as part of our strategy to address impaired driving. Our seasonal Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E) program has already checked over 7,000 vehicles and will continue to early January. Please plan ahead as you enjoy the upcoming holiday season. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 911. Together, we can Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere!” said Deputy Chief Marc Andrews, Peel Regional Police.
The City is prepared to respond to any snowfall or icy conditions to ensure routes are safe and accessible. Residents are reminded to stay patient during a snow event. Those driving are reminded to clear snow off their vehicles, give crews and equipment space to work and remove parked cars from their street so crews can work to clear roads.
For more road safety information and additional safety tips, visit mississauga.ca/roadsafety.
For more information about the City’s winter maintenance program, visit mississauga.ca/snow
To learn more about impaired driving and distracted driving, visit peelpolice.ca/en/safety-tips/road-safety.aspx
Winter road safety tips
If driving:
- Clean off your car by clearing snow and ice from all windows, the roof of your car and headlights to ensure you have an unobstructed view and others can see you.
- Plan a safe way home, and don’t drive impaired (alcohol or cannabis). Rely on a safe transportation option instead by using MiWay, using a rideshare program or a taxi, or designating a driver.
- Avoid distractions and focus on the road when driving. Send text messages or make phone calls before you get in your car or when you reach your destination.
- Drive for the road conditions by slowing down in bad weather like snow, ice or freezing rain.
- Give snow-clearing crews and equipment room to work. Be patient if you are behind them.
- Give yourself more time to get to your destination safely.
- Look for pedestrians and cyclists before turning, entering/exiting driveways or roadways and parking lots as they are busy this time of year.
If walking, cycling or using another mode of active transportation:
- Give yourself extra time by leaving earlier.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Travel according to conditions by slowing down in icy and snowy conditions.
- If walking, consider using sturdy winter boots with good treads that can provide extra traction.
- If cycling, try changing the tires on your bike – thick ones have better grip on snow. Give yourself extra space whenever you brake.
- Help increase your visibility by using a crosswalk or crossride when possible. If cycling, use reflectors and bike lights.
Do you know a cyclist or a group in your community who has made an impact in cycling or other forms of sustainable active transportation in 2023? The Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee (MCAC) is looking for nominations for the Phil Green Award. The award recognizes and celebrates those who have made an outstanding effort to promote and encourage others to cycle or use another mode of active transportation to travel in Mississauga.
The Phil Green Award is presented by MCAC annually. The award continues to honour Mississauga resident, Phil Green, who was a founding MCAC member and worked diligently to promote safe cycling in Mississauga.
See the nomination form for full eligibility details.
What:
Call for nominees – Phil Green Award
When:
The deadline to submit your nomination is Friday, January 19, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
How:
Download the nomination form and submit it to cycling@mississauga.ca. MCAC will review the nominations and will select the winning resident or group.
The winner will be announced and recognized at a City Council meeting in early 2024.
Nominate a cyclist by filling out this form.
Learn more about cycling in Mississauga: mississauga.ca/cycling
Back in 2021, The Compass Food Bank & Outreach Centre released their first ever Compass Cookbook in time for Christmas and sold over 575 copies!
From the feedback received, they made great gifts and since then the recipes have been cooked in kitchens far and wide.
The same group of wonderful volunteers who put together that first cookbook have now produced a new one that’s been printed and is ready to sell. “All Roads Lead to Sweet Treats” is exactly what it sounds like. You can now purchase a beautiful spiral-bound 104-page collection of sweet treats for your baking pleasure.
Thanks to our incredible printers at Options Mississauga, they are able to offer this second masterpiece at the same price as the first, only $20 per copy. No price increase, same outstanding quality cookbook.
As before, you can buy for yourself, as gifts for others, as well as purchase some to donate to our clients.
Order yours now by clicking on the button below. If you prefer, you can pay by cash or cheque at our office or you can send an e-transfer to treasurer@thecompass.ca but please mark “cookbooks” in the notes.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Make your purchase in time for the holidays. These are great gifts for teachers, colleagues, neighbours, your book club, family, friends and more.
All proceeds go to support The Compass Food Bank.
From pumpkin patches to apple picking, cool weather and cozy sweaters, Fall is one of our favourite seasons! It’s also the time of harvest, when food and crops are gathered, picked and stored for winter months.
During the season, you can harvest and enjoy in-season fruits (raspberries, blackberries, apples, pumpkins and pears), vegetables (squash, carrots, zucchini, potatoes, eggplant, corn and beans) and herbs (basil, chives, dill and parsley).
Nothing tastes better than homegrown produce! If you’re interested in growing your own vegetable or herb garden, start with what you’re interested in growing, determine how big of a space you have to plant and do a little research about the best approach and timing.
When the City plans maintenance or construction work in a particular street or neighborhood, it’s crucial to keep residents and homeowners informed about the process.
Notification Process
To ensure that residents and homeowners are well-informed about upcoming maintenance work that may affect their properties, the City follows a notification process. Notices are distributed via hand-delivered letters, and here’s how it works:
Hand-Delivered Letters: The City prepares notification letters detailing the planned maintenance work and its potential impact. These letters are hand-delivered to the residents and homeowners. In some cases, when work affects businesses, staff will personally enter the premises to drop off the notices.
Timeline: The City strives to deliver these notices at least one week before the commencement of the work. This advanced notice allows residents and homeowners to make necessary preparations or adjustments to accommodate the upcoming construction.
Extenuating Circumstances: While the City aims for timely communication, there can be extenuating circumstances. For instance, if the scope of work expands after the crew has started, staff will make efforts to notify residents on-site about the changes. The goal is to keep everyone informed and minimize disruptions.
Locates
Before any construction work begins, it’s essential to ensure that underground utilities and infrastructure are marked to prevent accidental damage. Here’s how the City handles locates:
Contractor Responsibility: The responsibility for obtaining locates falls on the contractor hired to perform the construction or maintenance work. They must request locates from the Ontario One Call service, which acts as a central point of contact for locating underground utilities.
Utility Locates: Once contacted, each utility company is obliged to locate their underground infrastructure within the specified work area. This step is crucial for the safety of both the construction crew and the existing utilities.
Timing: Contractors usually request locates well in advance of the scheduled work. This practice is based on past experiences where delays in obtaining locates have occurred. This proactive approach ensures that locates are ready when construction work is scheduled to start.
The City is committed to keeping residents and homeowners informed about upcoming maintenance and construction work that may impact their properties. While there may be instances of long-term delays, these are often part of the preparation process to ensure the work is completed efficiently and safely.