Despite Toronto’s Vision Zero plan to lower the amount of tragic and harmful auto accidents, the number of pedestrians killed in car collisions in the Greater Toronto Area seems to be just getting higher. Beyond the statistics, it’s any pedestrian or driver’s worst nightmare, but luckily there are things you can do on the sidewalk or the road to stay safe.
Here’s what you can (and should) do to help prevent pedestrian accidents:
Stay in your lane
As a pedestrian:
It can be tempting to seek the shortest possible path, but jaywalking is the most dangerous way to cross the street. Between 2011 and 2016, 43 per cent of pedestrians killed in collisions were crossing in the middle of a block. Instead of thinking about how much quicker you’ll be at your destination, remember that drivers will not be expecting to see you like they would at a crosswalk, so their reaction time could be compromised.
As a driver:
Give pedestrians and cyclists plenty of space. You can’t always anticipate every decision they’ll make, and every metre gives you a little more time to react. Also, make sure you plan ahead when taking an unfamiliar route to limit last-minute lane changes.
Put your phone away
As a pedestrian:
Back in 2017, Ontario considered a bill that would make walking and texting illegal and while it never came to fruition, it was a good reminder that it’s not just distracted driving that we should be worried about. Plus, if the law yields positive results in Honolulu (they passed a similar law in the Hawaiian capital in 2017) you never know if this so-called ‘zombie law’ could come back to life.
As a driver:
Every province and territory in Canada now outlaws distracted driving, even Nunavut, which hasn’t yet settled on what the penalty should be, so this one should be a no-brainer. And with all the hands-free technologies available, there really is no excuse to take your eyes off the road over a text.
Stay visible
As a pedestrian:
If you know you’ll be walking around at night, make sure you wear something that won’t just blend into the darkness. You wouldn’t ride a bike at night without lights or reflective gear, and with a Transport Canada report saying 60 per cent of pedestrian fatalities from 2004 - 2008 were at night or in low visibility, you should probably leave that all-black outfit at home.
As a driver:
First things first, make sure all your car’s lights are working and clean. Then use them. It sounds simple, but signalling properly and knowing when to use your high- and low-beams can do wonders for both your ability to see and others’ ability to see you. If worse comes to worst, you’ve done everything you can and someone still isn’t responding, don’t be afraid to use your horn—that’s why it’s there.
Be wary of left turns
As a pedestrian:
Doing a left-hand turn at an intersection is a complex maneuver as far as everyday driving goes, so, when walking, don’t assume you’re in the clear just because it’s your turn to cross an intersection. Drivers may feel they need to rush to make it through a gap in oncoming traffic, and may not have clear visibility of the sidewalk, especially behind them. And be sure to double-check that the advance left-turn traffic light isn’t on before you cross.
As a driver:
For most left-turn accidents, it’s the driver making the turn that is legally at fault. There’s a lot to keep track of when making a turn, to the point where some Ontarian researchers tracked brain activity and found it to be the most widely stimulating driving exercise. Knowing the risk involved, make sure to do complete shoulder checks and don’t proceed if you’re not confident that it’s safe.
Educate your kids
It may shock you to learn that in Ontario teens and preteens are the most likely to be hurt in an accident with a pedestrian. Measured in emergency department visits, 51 per cent of victims in the past seven years were 15 - 19 years old and 26 per cent were just 10 - 14. Share this information with your children so they can be prepared, too. Whether they’re starting to drive or are just wandering the neighbourhood with their friends, there’s no age limit on learning about road safety.
While preparation is key, life is often unpredictable. If you are injured in an accident you’re going to want to talk to a personal injury lawyer who can help you take the best course of action to recover. Call 1-888-288-HURT to talk to a professional who can walk you through your options.