Toronto city officials have asked Aviva Canada to remove its pedestrian crossing flags at intersections, citing that the insurer’s road safety initiative was unauthorised.
Aviva installed the flags at some of the busiest intersections in Toronto to allow pedestrians to hold the flags while crossing, making themselves more visible to drivers. The insurer had plans to reveal its installation of the flags this week, but allegedly did not clear the initiative with the city first.
“We support Aviva Canada’s efforts in enhancing road safety in Toronto, but permission was not sought from the City of Toronto before affixing flags to city-owned poles at crosswalk intersections,” Toronto City spokesperson Brad Ross said in a statement.
“Any organization that wishes to share proposals with the city to improve the livability of residents and visitors must do so through due process.”
CTV News reported that a bucket that held the flags had a disclaimer, saying that each “tech enabled” flag automatically informs city council how the road could be safer.
Aviva would not reveal, ahead of its planned Thursday announcement, whether the flags contained any sensors or data trackers.
While he believed that Aviva meant well with its safety campaign, Mayor John Tory said that the city could not overlook such a “patchwork” plan.
“We are going to solve it by changing behaviour and by an organized, determined city program that will make the streets and intersections of the city safer – that includes automated speed enforcement, it includes more red light cameras, it includes street design and it includes speed limits,” the mayor said.
A spokesperson for Aviva said the company “respects the guidance from the City of Toronto and their request to remove the flags,” adding that it was the insurer’s primary intention to raise awareness and start a conversation with the city on road safety.
