Safer streets needed now in Toronto after drivers hit 3 pedestrians in 3 hours: advocate
More must be done now to make Toronto’s roads safer for pedestrians, says one safe streets advocate, after three people were hit by drivers while walking in this city Wednesday morning.
Dylan Reid, a co-founder of the grassroots Walk Toronto organization, said lowering the speed limit, installing more crosswalks, adding more photo radar cameras, and even banning right turns on red lights are important steps that could help save vulnerable road users’ lives.
Many of these road safety measures are outlined in Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, which prioritizes the safety of Toronto’s most vulnerable road users through a range of extensive, proactive, targeted, and data-driven initiatives. Launched in July 2016, this plan focuses on reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on the city’s streets.
“The city’s Vision Zero plan needs to be accelerated. It’s too slow to move forward,” said Reid, adding while fatalities involving vulnerable road users tend to get the most attention, incidents where people are injured are just as significant.
“Being hit by a moving vehicle can forever alter a person’s life. It’s a life-changing event, a traumatic experience both physically and mentally.”
Wednesday’s collisions involving pedestrians all occurred in less than three hours.
The first crash happened just before 7:30 a.m. near Elm Street and University Avenue. Police said the pedestrian was seriously injured and transported to hospital by paramedics.
The second one was just 30 minutes later at the intersection of Dufferin Street and St. Clair Avenue West. Paramedics rushed a victim to a trauma centre with serious injuries.
Shortly before 10 a.m., Toronto police tweeted about a third pedestrian being hit by a driver near Steeles Avenue West and Martin Grove Road. Details were not immediately available about the victim’s injuries.
So far, police have charged one of the drivers, Const. Sean Shapiro of Traffic Services told CP24.com.
He said improving road safety is a shared responsibility.
“(Today’s) collisions were preventable by being cautious and making better decisions,” said Shapiro, who hosts the popular #AskATrafficCop livestream program.
“In two cases, pedestrians were crossing mid-block. … Saving a couple of seconds is not worth your life.”
Shapiro said police want all road users to arrive alive and in one piece to their destination, especially pedestrian and cyclists who are the most vulnerable.
“It’s not about who’s at fault, it’s about making sure you get home safely,” he said.
“If we all take a few minutes to plan ahead and be extra cautious we may all be able to avoid tragedy.”
Reid underlined that three vulnerable road users being hit by vehicles in such a short time frame shows “our streets are dangerous for pedestrians.”
“When you have three pedestrians hit in a morning, it’s a reminder that these collisions happen all the time,” he said.
So far this year, Toronto police have investigated dozens of non-fatal personal injury collisions as well as 31 fatal collisions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.