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There has been a noticeable increase in the number of pedestrian accidents, including fatalities, involving car accidents in the month of January. 14 deaths in Toronto and 6 in Kitchener Waterloo. Some speculate that in some instances driver and/or pedestrian attention may be diverted because of the use of hand-held devices. In other instances the lack of adequate sidewalks has been a factor.

January 28, 2010, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

As reported recently in the Waterloo Region Record, the number of incidents involving pedestrians and cars has seen a significant spike in the month of January.  It is likely a combination of a number of factors including the better weather that brings more pedestrians out walking.  However, it is imperative that pedestrians and motorists be extra cautious on the roads and try to minimize all distractions, like hand held devices, in order to keep the concentration on the road ahead.  Another factor in some of these incidents has to do with the lack of adequate sidewalks for people with disabilities to allow them to properly and safely travel around the city.

 

 

Six pedestrians hit in region this month – what’s going on?
 
January 27, 2010
By Cherri Greeno, Record staff

WATERLOO REGION — Coincidence? Weather related? Driver or pedestrian error?
Police aren’t exactly clear why so many pedestrians are being hit by vehicles lately but what is clear is that too many errors are being made.
In the past month, six people have been hit by vehicles, one of whom died.
The most recent pedestrians were hit Monday night. Police say two women were crossing Columbia Street at Weber Street in Waterloo around 6 p.m. when they were struck by a vehicle turning onto Columbia from Weber. The women were walking on a crosswalk at the time. Both received non life-threatening injuries. Police are still investigating.
On Jan. 13 a 61-year-old man was hit as he crossed a crosswalk at Victoria and Weber streets. He was in a wheelchair and was struck as a vehicle turned right onto Weber Street. He was taken to hospital with a serious but non-life-threatening leg injury.
Veronica Walsh, 51, was killed as she crossed Victoria Street, east of Frederick Street, in her wheelchair on Jan. 10.
On Jan. 7 a 19-year-old female was seriously injured as she tried to cross King Street in Waterloo near Conestoga Mall around 9:30 a.m. She was crossing in the southbound lanes as some vehicles were slowing for a yellow light. She made it through one lane before stepping into the next lane and was hit by a van. She was not crossing at the lights or at a crosswalk. She was taken to Hamilton General Hospital and listed in critical condition.
Around 8:30 p.m. that same day, a 16-year-old female was hit while crossing Victoria Street North, near Weber Street. She was taken to McMaster Hospital in Hamilton.
“As tragic as it is, sometimes (having so many) is a coincidence,” said Waterloo Regional Police spokesperson Olaf Heinzel.
Other times, such a string of pedestrian collisions could be blamed on the weather or simple errors in judgment.
Because of the unusually mild weather, Heinzel said it’s likely more people are out walking the streets.
“Last year we had so much snow that people were using other forms of transportation,” he said.
Lack of snow and bare roads mean motorists are likely driving faster than usual for this time of year.
“Sometimes it gives drivers a sense of belief that the conditions are safer,” Heinzel said. “People have a false sense of security and are not as safe as they should be.”
Because both drivers and pedestrians share the road it’s important that they both share responsibility, meaning obeying all traffic rules and watching out for each other.
“Every road user has the responsibility to look out for the safety of others and be aware of what others are doing,” Heinzel said. “You shouldn’t assume the other person will do what they are supposed to do.”
If pedestrians have a walk signal at a crosswalk they should also look up and down the street before they cross. Likewise, motorists should be on the lookout for anyone trying to cross against a signal.
“It’s better to take a moment to ensure you know what’s going to happen instead of hoping for the best,” Heinzel said.
Collisions involving pedestrians have not been unique to Waterloo Region. In the GTA, 14 pedestrians have died in collisions this month alone.

About Paquette Travers & Deutschmann

Paquette Travers & Deutschmann serve South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Doug O’Toole focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us toll-free at 1-866-414-4878.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.