Tierney: Can't see any lines on the road when you drive? It's an increasing hazard
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Ever feel like the road markings disappeared the moment it started to rain? You're not alone — and it's not your imagination. From Orléans to Highway 174 and across the country, drivers are finding themselves navigating invisible roads.
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The culprit? A federal regulation that changed the very paint we use to mark them.
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Back in 2023, the federal government introduced new requirements targeting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in commercial products like paints and adhesives. On paper, this looks like progress: cutting VOCs helps reduce air pollution. But in practice, the regulations have turned our road lines into something out of a magic act. You'd be forgiven for thinking they were painted with disappearing ink.
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This change has had ripple effects: municipalities now have to repaint lane markings two or even three times a year to maintain visibility. That means more paint trucks on the roads, more greenhouse gas emissions from those trucks, and more tax dollars spent — ironically, all in the name of environmental protection. While the intent behind the regulation was good, the result was a serious safety concern that simply can't be ignored.
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Poor visibility, especially in low light and during wet or inclement weather, is no small issue. It puts drivers, cyclists and pedestrians at risk. With modern vehicle safety systems relying more and more on clear lane markings for features such as crash avoidance and lane assist, this is more than a cosmetic issue; it's a concern about life-or-death.
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I attended the Good Roads Conference with my colleague, Coun. Sean Devine, where we heard from municipalities across Ontario that are all grappling with the same issue. In our east-end communities especially, the problem is pronounced — most notably on Highway 174, where the lines vanish with the first drop of rain.
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Drivers deserve better. Communities deserve better.
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Municipalities can't tackle this alone. As chair of the city's Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC), I've requested an update at our June meeting to detail what lobbying efforts are underway — specifically what pressure has been applied through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and what traction we've gained with the federal government.
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We need strong advocacy and leadership at every level of government. I'm also in active discussions with the paint manufacturer 3M to explore safer, more durable and compliant solutions. There must be a way to maintain environmental standards and keep drivers safe.
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According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, traffic-marking coatings are subject to stringent VOC concentration limits, yet municipalities are finding these standards challenging to meet without compromising road safety. That disconnect needs to be addressed with updated guidance and flexibility for real-world conditions.
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