“Pedestrian Deaths Spike In Gta”

Yesterday, I was coming to an amber light at a very busy intersection (not in GTA, yet the attitude is the same with many pedestrians throughout, as this post will demonstrate). Cars were still zipping through the intersection to my right (I was on a one-way on the left-most lane) as it had just turned amber. I slowed down. As I slowed, two dimwitted people stepped out in front of my SUV, forcing me to slam on the breaks as I was at about 30km/h at this point. I was the third car in line, so they stepped in front of oncoming and moving traffic, behind one car and in front of mine, and proceeded to skip through 4 lanes of traffic. I layed on the horn, and got a dirty look as if to say I had no right to be on the roadway. They had no business stepping out as they did. There isn't even an excuse that the pedestrian cross-walk was too far as they were two-full car lengths from the intersection.

And, according to Insurance rules, I would've been at fault for these idiots getting hit. I'm sorry, but these pedestrian fatalities do not tug on my heart-strings. They are largely to blame for their own demise. They walk boldly onto the street with the mentality that motorists must stop for them - or else. The mentality continues even when they are j-walking or crossing when the hand is up or when they see cars coming at them fast. What they don't realize is that there are distracted motorists too, and while motorist should be stopping to avoid a collision, sometimes they can't. Their righteous attitudes are getting them killed because in a battle between them and a vehicle, they WILL lose every single time.

Death Race 2000 should be an essential watch by all citizens. It was a staple for us teenage boys when it came out in '75.

To this day, I still categorize bad judgment by pedestrians by the points that would be awarded to the driver.

Believe it or not, I'm NOT making light of this tragic series of deaths. I really DO think placing this movie in to the conscience of the Canadian public would make them more aware of their surroundings and would save lives accordingly.

ditchMD wrote:I'd be curious to know how much of a role regulation, read over-regulation, plays in this scenario.

Ever read the book Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt? He talks a lot about the points you raised, such as getting rid of all kinds of signs. The Netherlands also came up with the idea called woonerven, where instead of having sidewalks, roads, etc., the pedestrians, cars and cyclists all share the same space and the only rule is "don't hit anything."

Amazingly - fatalities dropped to almost none, and collisions became very rare. It made pedestrians look everywhere and walk carefully, and it made drivers drive speeds that were appropriate for the conditions and also pay close attention to other things on the road. Toronto is implementing that in the development of the West Donlands.

Marquisse wrote:As I slowed, two dimwitted people stepped out in front of my SUV, forcing me to slam on the breaks as I was at about 30km/h at this point.

I have to wonder if people have basically become convinced that they're invincible. Similar situation happened to me yesterday: Entered an intersection on green to turn left, waited for oncoming traffic to clear, light turns amber. I see a pedestrian on the sidewalk. Okay, fine - I start turning, but as I do so, he suddenly darts into the street. The light is now red. I braked and pounded on the horn, and, of course, he gave me the finger.

Marquisse wrote:And, according to Insurance rules, I would've been at fault for these idiots getting hit.

The Fault Determination Rules are in desperate need of an overhaul.

Ever read the book

Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt?

Maybe he is Tom Vanderbilt..........

i realized that when i moved here from the southern states a year ago that Toronto is very pedestrian friendly. it took me a while to get used to the fact that i just had to get used to people crossing the street on foot. it was more culture shock than anything else really. but its true, pedestrians and motorists alike need to pay attention to what they are doing. about a month ago somebody got killed crossing the street in the beaches area. i was shocked. completely. we all need to be more careful.

from CBC news - 29JAN10

Toronto police say their four-day pedestrian and traffic safety campaign led to more than 300 charges — and more than 300 warnings.

From Monday to Thursday, police fanned out across the city, targeting jaywalkers and pedestrians disobeying traffic signals.

Since the start of the year, Toronto has recorded seven pedestrian fatalities. There have been 14 fatalities across the Greater Toronto Area during that time.

In 2009 there were 31 deaths in the entire year.

Motorists were also part of this week's blitz.

They were issued $40 tickets for causing gridlock by getting stuck in intersections on red lights, and $180 tickets for failing to stop for a streetcar with its doors open.

Police said Friday the campaign resulted in 295 tickets against pedestrians and drivers. There were also eight charges for driving while under suspension.

345 pedestrians and drivers were given cautions.