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
'Terrifying': Manitoba resident speaks on wildfire and evacuation
As a pair of wildfires burn near Flin Flon and The Pas, a number of Manitobans are being told to evacuate their homes.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
DEVELOPING Michael Cohen takes the stand as testimony in Trump hush money case enters 4th week
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: Traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.