Reviewing The Safety Of Crossing The Street
Toronto has been hit lately with a rash of traffic accidents involving pedestrians and motorists. It has become an epidemic of sorts. 14 people have been killed in the GTA as a result of being hit in traffic.
At this point, while it may seem really silly, I think that it’s time to have a little overview of traffic safety as far as crossing the street goes.
Pedestrians, let’s start with you. When you’re walking on the sidewalk feel free to be texting or listening to music or talking on the phone or whatever it is that you have to do. Be mindful of the other people that you are sharing the sidewalk with, but fear not too much for your safety. However, when you are not on the sidewalk you are not safe. Deal with it.
The only place that you have the right of way when you are walking on the street is a marked crosswalk. If you are not in a marked crosswalk it does not matter what time of day it is, where you are, who you are with, what your age is, or what colour clothes you are wearing, you DO NOT have the right of way. You are in traffic, even if you don’t see a car coming. And this is the problem. People aren’t seeing cars coming. Now I know that not all of the recent accidents in the GTA have been as a result of jay walking, but some of them have, including one unfortunate man who was hit by a street car. That’s right, a street car.
If you choose to run between cars, in traffic, during rush hour, in the early morning rain you are taking your life in your own hands.
Here’s my tip: Pedestrians, don’t trust motorists! It’s that simple. Even when you are in a marked crosswalk and the light is in your favour, don’t trust motorists. They are just as distracted as you are.
Motorists, let’s go to you next. When you are in your lane, driving the speed limit, aware of your surroundings and obeying the laws of the road, you have the right of way. When you come to an intersection with the marked crossing for pedestrians you do not. It is your turn to stop and wait and check to make sure that all the pedestrians in the area have crossed and then you can make your legal advance or turn. That’s the way it goes. I cussed out the pedestrians, so now it’s your turn. If you’re late for work, I’m sorry. If you’re an impatient individual, too bad. If your favourite show is about to start and you don’t want to miss it buy a PVR. This is the city, deal with it.
If you aren’t paying attention and aren’t following the rules of the road you are increasing the chances that you will be involved in an accident.
Here’s my tip: Motorists, don’t trust pedestrians! It’s the simple. They are everywhere and they will not follow the rules. They will pop out from between parked cars to cross to a store they want to go to. They will run across crosswalks when the light isn’t theirs so that they can try to catch a bus or street car. They can not be trusted.
Cyclists, you’re last. Your place is on the road, we all know that. You should wear a helmet, we all know that. You have to obey all traffic laws and signals, we all know that. And since we all know it, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Just be careful out there. Please.
Here’s my tip: Don’t trust anyone! It really is that simple. Motorists will see you as a pest that they can swerve around, pedestrians don’t pay attention because if they are looking at all they are looking for larger vehicles. Hell, I wouldn’t even trust other cyclists. It’s each rider for themselves. Good luck.
Here’s the long and the short of it folks. There is absolutely no reason why 14 adults should have died on the streets of Toronto because they were hit by cars. None. That number is almost half of 2009’s total fatalities from the same reasons. These aren’t children that don’t know the rules; they are adults that should know better. In fact, I’d be willing to argue that children are safer because they do know the rules.
And so this is my plea. Please look out for each other. Be safe, be patient, be aware, make it to work and back.
Thank you.
creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.
