Traffic

The Town of Essex maintains a system of urban and rural roads, many of them connecting with County and Provincial highways.

Speed Limits

The speed limit within the urban areas of Essex is 50 kilometres per hour, unless otherwise posted. The speed limit on rural roads is 80 kilometres per hour, unless otherwise posted.

Speed Limit Establishment Policy

In 2020, the Town of Essex implemented a policy by which citizens may request a review of a speed limit for a roadway on which they reside. Resident requests for a Speed Limit Review requires support from at least 65% of the residents residing on that section of road, as determined by a local petition. Read the full Speed Limit Review Policy and download the Petition Form online.

Community Safety Zones

A Community Safety Zone is a section of road or an intersection where public safety is of special concern. Traffic fines are higher within Community Safety Zones.

Traffic signs identifying Community Safety Zones are posted at the start and throughout the zone.

Speed limits near primary schools in the Town of Essex are reduced to 40 kilometres per hour to help protect our children. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and observe higher volumes of pedestrian traffic within a school zone.

Crossing Guards

Crossing Guard services are provided by the Town of Essex and are administered through the Clerk’s Office. To learn more, view our Crossing Guards page.

Speed Monitoring Program

The Town of Essex is committed to ensuring the safety of our roads for all residents. One of the primary concerns expressed by the community is vehicle speed. In response, the Town of Essex utilizes speed monitoring equipment to monitor and address these concerns effectively.

Speed Monitoring Equipment

Between April and October of each year, a combination of speed radar signs, mobile trailers, and Blackcat boxes are strategically deployed throughout the municipality based on community requests and ongoing construction projects. These devices collect speed data, allowing staff to analyze trends and collaborate with law enforcement when necessary.

Speed Data Analysis

The data collected in 2024 indicates that most municipal roadways are operating within the posted speed limits. Average speeds were generally at or below the designated limits, reflecting positive compliance among drivers.

Any areas with a high proportion of vehicles with speeds consistently over the speed limit will continue to be shared with the Essex County OPP as speeding hot spots for targeted enforcement.

Get Involved

We encourage residents to report any road safety and speeding concerns in your area. Your feedback is crucial in helping us maintain safe roads for everyone.

For more information on the speed monitoring program, please contact Infrastructure Services at 519-776-7336 ext.1145 or send an email. Placement of speed monitoring equipment is at the discretion of the Town of Essex.

Speeding Enforcement

For issues related to speeding enforcement, please contact the Essex County OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122. You can also report driving related complaints using the OPP's Online Reporting System.

Next Steps

Staff will look to roll this program out again in 2025, to educate drivers and promote proper driving speeds on area roadways.

Pedestrian Crossovers (PXO)

Stay Safe at Pedestrian Crossovers! The Town of Essex has Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) at key locations in both Essex Centre and Harrow. For Everyone's Safety, please take a moment to learn the rules for both drivers and pedestrians:

Rules for Drivers and Cyclists:

Watch for pedestrians who may be crossing. Pedestrians have the right-of-way! Drivers and cyclists must yield to pedestrians at the PXO.
Stop behind marked yield line when you see a pedestrian
Make eye contact with the pedestrian
Drive with caution when the road is completely clear
Do not pass any other vehicle within 30 metres of a PXO

Rules for Pedestrians:

Make sure motorist or cyclist has enough time to stop
Indicate to road users that you want to cross
Press the push button at the PXO to activate the lights
Make eye contact with road users on both sides of the road
Cross when traffic has come to a complete stop and you feel safe
Cyclists using PXO must dismount and cross the road as a pedestrian

By following these rules, we can all ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone!

Stay alert, be courteous, and share the road.

Pedestrian Crossover Feature Infographic.