Busy downtown streets are risky for vulnerable road users – pedestrians and cyclists – at the best of times; when construction zones are involved they can be downright dangerous. Nowhere in Canada is the threat greater than in Toronto, the nation’s biggest city and currently the site of more than 700 construction zones according to the local CBC. To Toronto car accident lawyers, the lack of safety measures around the city’s construction sites is an urgent issue that must be addressed.
“Projects are monitored and adjustments are made to the road set up to address issues that may arise during construction,” said Eric Jensen, Toronto’s traffic operations manager, to the CBC. “In every case, safety is of paramount importance and every effort is made to ensure the maximum level of that safety for all road users, particularly the most vulnerable, while also protecting the workers on the site.”
Toronto’s construction zones must adhere to several pieces of legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, but many safety advocates and Toronto car accident lawyers believe more can be done. Adam Cohoon of Walk Toronto suggested to the CBC that reduced speed limits would improve safety, and Pamela Fuselli of Parachute suggested collecting more data.
Currently, the provincial Ministry of Labour is responsible for tracking injuries around construction sites, but their data is imprecise. The CBC reports that 50 non-workers were injured over the past five years, but couldn’t identify between pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, or others. Fifteen injuries were reported in 2018, the most of any year.
Every day, Toronto car accident lawyers talk to injured pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists about their accidents. Eventually, trends begin to emerge, including elevated risks for vulnerable road users and concerns about safety in construction zones. With the mayoral election around the corner, Toronto personal injury lawyers, law enforcement officials, and all manner of safety advocates are optimistic that road safety issues will become a priority at City Hall. Initiatives like Vision Zero have identified opportunities to improve safety for all road users but without political impetus, deaths and serious injuries will continue to occur on Toronto’s streets.
If you or a member of your family have been injured in an automotive accident at or near a construction site, contact Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers today to learn how we can help. Our experienced group of Toronto car accident lawyers can provide guidance and assistance as you navigate the legal system and work towards your recovery.
Image credit: Loozrboy/Wikimedia Commons
Greg Neinstein
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