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Rural areas in Ontario face a higher risk of deadly vehicle accidents, and one provincial organization is urging the government to put more resources into safety initiatives.
Concerns about road safety have intensified throughout Ontario following a tragic accident in Mapleton Township northwest of Kitchener on Friday night, which resulted in the deaths of five children from the same family.
Authorities are still looking into what caused that crash at 4th Line and Wellington Road 12, but the Ontario Provincial Police in Wellington County have emphasized that this tragic event serves as a reminder for everyone to stay cautious around rural intersections.
Kelly Elliot, executive director of the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors-a group representing 34 public works associations-points out that 55 percent of fatal crashes in the province take place on rural roads.
She notes that drivers often find themselves on “county roads that are wide open” and feel tempted to exceed speed limits.
Elliot suggests implementing measures like clearly marking the center line or painting along the edges of roads to help curb these behaviors and enhance safety. While these solutions may be straightforward, they still require funding from municipalities.
According to Elliot, when automated speed enforcement cameras were eliminated in November 2025, it initiated a $210-million road safety fund.
The Transportation Minister at that time, Prabmeet Sarkaria, mentioned that this funding could support initiatives such as speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, new signage, and increased police presence in school zones previously monitored by speed cameras.
Sarkaria also claimed then that “Ontario has some of the safest roads in North America.”
However, Elliot points out that access to this fund is limited only to cities where those cameras were situated.
“Unfortunately a lot of rural communities didn’t have automated speed enforcement. They didn’t qualify for that. So therefore they don’t qualify for this road safety fund,” Elliot said.
“A lot of the projects available under that road safety fund focus on urban areas. They aren’t practical for an 80 km/h county road.”
Elliot states they’ve been advocating for funding from the province specifically aimed at smaller and rural municipalities so they can tackle road safety issues effectively.
Some projects she would like more financial backing for include:Centre line and edge line painting along with intersection markings.
Upgraded regulatory signs and warning indicators.
Curve identification markers and hazard signs.
Radar speed signs and other awareness tools regarding speed.
Other affordable engineering solutions identified through road safety audits.
“Really just having a rural perspective on traffic safety included in those policies will help create consistency regarding driver expectations on high-speed roads,” Elliot said. has reached out to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for comments concerning calls for additional funding but hasn’t received any response yet.WATCH | Residents are mourning the loss of 5 children who died in a collision:
Ontario community grieves death of 5 children involved in collision | Hanomansing TonightResidents of Elmira, Ont., are mourning the loss of five children who died when their passenger van collided with an SUV near Kitchener. Woolwich Township Mayor Sandy Shantz discusses how deeply this incident has affected their community.
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A simple cross adorned with purple flowers marks where five children tragically lost their lives Friday night after a passenger van collided with an SUV at a rural intersection northwest of Kitchener. (Diego Pizarro/CBC)
West Region Ontario Provincial Police have kicked off a campaign focusing on rural intersection safety called Stop Look Live.
The police reported that both years 2024 and 2025 saw thirteen fatalities each due to failure-to-yield incidents related to intersections.
This campaign was already planned before last Friday’s tragic accident launched earlier today,
OPP Sgt Ed Sanchuk told CBC K-W’s The Morning Edition guest host Joe Pavia that it will continue until Sunday while emphasizing both enforcement actions as well as educational outreach efforts too
“Every intersection presents a critical decision point for drivers; taking an extra moment just stopping & looking might save lives,” he remarked
You can expect increased police presence on southwestern Ontario’s rural roads over these next few days.
“Please do us all favor when approaching intersections – come fully stopped at stop signs & check all directions multiple times before proceeding without assuming other vehicles will yield,” Sanchuk urged further adding
“Be mindful towards pedestrians & cyclists alongside other vehicles; we’ll keep watchful eyes out against reckless driving behavior putting others’ lives at risk.”
Upgraded regulatory signs and warning indicators.
Curve identification markers and hazard signs.
Radar speed signs and other awareness tools regarding speed.
Other affordable engineering solutions identified through road safety audits.
“Really just having a rural perspective on traffic safety included in those policies will help create consistency regarding driver expectations on high-speed roads,” Elliot said. has reached out to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for comments concerning calls for additional funding but hasn’t received any response yet.WATCH | Residents are mourning the loss of 5 children who died in a collision:
Ontario community grieves death of 5 children involved in collision | Hanomansing TonightResidents of Elmira, Ont., are mourning the loss of five children who died when their passenger van collided with an SUV near Kitchener. Woolwich Township Mayor Sandy Shantz discusses how deeply this incident has affected their community.
Every intersection ‘a critical decision point for drivers’
Joanne Marshall lives close to where five children lost their lives Friday night due to an accident involving a passenger van and an SUV. She says she’s heartbroken over what happened. She mentions that this intersection isn’t known for being dangerous; she’s never felt uneasy driving through there before now. “You know it could happen and you just feel blessed every time nothing does happen,” she said while standing by a memorial Monday afternoon. Moving forward she expects she’ll be “more aware.” “It’s never going to leave you every time you drive by here for sure,” she added.“Be mindful towards pedestrians & cyclists alongside other vehicles; we’ll keep watchful eyes out against reckless driving behavior putting others’ lives at risk.”
A call for investment deemed ‘a moral imperative’ according letter sent
In correspondence directed towards Ontario’s transportation minister dated December sixth , twenty twenty-four , The Association Of Ontario Road Supervisors expressed concerns regarding “pressing crisis” surrounding roadway hazards impacting Rural Regions within Province.
“This crisis brings extensive repercussions upon local governance bodies struggling financially amidst increased rates applied regarding insurance alongside liabilities faced from collisions happening frequently ,” stated message penned down addressing Sarkaria directly.P/>The association backed Good Roads initiative aiming towards better infrastructure leading up establishment itself proposed multi-year program worth approximately hundred eighty-three million dollars dedicated specifically ensuring safe passage across most hazardous routes while also auditing others needing improvements assessed thoroughly thereafter based quality checks implemented accordingly. The association hopes Minister acknowledges urgency revolving around issue confronting many constituents everywhere calling attention needed promptly henceforth trying prevent future tragedies occurring unnecessarily. Investing into enhancing conditions along country lanes isn’t merely about finances-it carries moral responsibility too.”
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