Photo credit: LincolnGroup11/Wikimedia Commons
In the early morning of March 14, a 47-year old pedestrian was struck by a car and killed near Heartland Town Centre in Mississauga. Less than 12 hours later, a man in his 50s was seriously injured in a hit and run motor vehicle accident in the Danforth neighbourhood on Toronto’s downtown east side.
On the same day, Toronto police launched an awareness campaign with a goal of reducing fatal motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians. Named the “March break, March Safe Campaign,” the program runs from March 14 to March 20, coinciding with GTA students’ week off school.
According to a Toronto Police release, collision analysis shows that an average of 50 to 60 per cent of all traffic fatalities involve pedestrians.
“A total of 75% of all fatalities reported this year have involved senior-age pedestrians,” the release reads. “Last year, 39 pedestrians lost their lives, representing approximately 60% of all traffic fatalities in Toronto.”
These numbers look even worse when compared to 2011, when just 18 pedestrians were killed in the city, 59 per cent less than in 2015, a year in which more than 1,500 pedestrians were involved in motor vehicle accidents.
Perhaps realizing that action needed to be taken, the Province announced new legislation last summer to reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities on Ontario roads. The Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act came into effect at the beginning of 2016.
“Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America and this new legislation is intended to keep it that way,” said Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca in a release. “I look forward to continued collaboration with our law enforcement and other dedicated road safety partners to implement these measures.”
The act includes not only harsher penalties for road infractions like distracted driving and drug impairment, but also stiffer punishments for activities endangering cyclists and pedestrians. In particular, the act requires “drivers to wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the road before proceeding at school crossings and pedestrian crossovers.”
It’s too early to know what effect the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act will have on pedestrian fatality numbers, but so far the City of Toronto seems to be on pace for a slightly safer year. According to a Metro News initiative which maps pedestrian deaths throughout the year, nine people have been killed in Toronto so far in 2016.
Regardless of the effects of the act’s new laws, there are measures both pedestrians and drivers can take to improve road safety for all. The Ministry of Transportation has some pointers on their website:
For pedestrians
- Cross only at marked crosswalks or traffic lights. Don’t cross in the middle of the block or between parked cars.
- Make sure drivers see you before you cross. If the driver is stopped, make eye contact before you step into the road.
- Wear bright or light-coloured clothing or reflective strips, especially at dusk or when it’s dark.
- At a traffic light:
- Cross when traffic has come to a complete stop.
- Begin to cross at the start of the green light or “Walk” signal, where provided.
- Do not start to cross if you see a flashing “Do Not Walk” symbol or the light turns yellow. If you’ve already started to cross, complete your crossing in safety.
- Never cross on a red light.
- Watch for traffic turning at intersections or turning into and leaving driveways.
For drivers
Pay special attention to pedestrians as you drive. Here are some tips to follow:
- Always look for pedestrians, especially when turning.
- Watch for children – drive slowly and cautiously through school zones, residential areas, or any other area where children could be walking or playing.
- Watch out for Community Safety Zone signs that indicate areas where public safety is a special concern, including the possibility of encountering pedestrians.
- Be patient, especially with seniors or pedestrians with disabilities who need more time to cross the road.
- Drive carefully near streetcar stops with islands or zones for passengers getting on and off. Pass them at reasonable speeds, and always be ready in case pedestrians make sudden or unexpected moves.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, either as a pedestrian, driver, or passenger in an automobile, call Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers today. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.