Toronto Board of Health debating lower speed limits, bed bugs funding

The Toronto Board of Health is considering several proposals at a Monday afternoon meeting, including a call by the city’s chief medical officer of health for lower speed limits to reduce accidents.

Dr. David McKeown has recommended that the speed limit on residential roads be reduced to 30 km/h, which he claims would make roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Based on the findings of a health report that looked at the benefits and risks of walking and cycling in Toronto, McKeown is also recommending a citywide speed limit of 40 km/h on all other streets, unless otherwise posted. The report includes other traffic-calming measures, such as advanced crossing for pedestrians and increased road markings for cyclists, like bicycle boxes.

McKeown cited the study that said people walking are far less likely to be killed or injured for every 10-kilometre reduction below 60 km/h.

In 2010, more than 2,000 people were injured in pedestrian-vehicle collisions.

Mayor Rob Ford and the chair of the city’s public works committee say they don’t think lowering the speed limits is a good idea, with Ford calling the proposal “nuts.”

The report will go before city council on May 8.

The health board will also discuss what to do after Toronto Public Health’s funding of $1.2 million for bed bug control program from the province ended on March 31.

There has been no word from the provincial government about whether that one-time funding would be renewed, and the city says the crucial work of six public health inspectors to combat bed bug infestations among the city’s poor and mentally disabled would end without the money.

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