As a result of the Canada Post strike, there may be delays in the delivery and receipt of documents and payments by mail. If you require immediate assistance, please contact us.

Skip navigation

Latest figures raise new concerns about Toronto's road safety

October 15th, 2018  |  Auto

Concerns around road safety in Toronto are on the rise, after a further three pedestrians were hit by moving vehicles in the city last week.

The rising death and injury toll is now prompting questions over the success of the city’s $100 million Vision Zero initiative which was launched in 2017 to reduce all road-related deaths to zero. Despite this the latest figures from Toronto police show at least 55 people have been killed on Toronto’s roads so far this year-more than half of which were pedestrians.

Last week saw a string of incidents relating in death and injury for pedestrians. On Monday a 34-year-old father was killed as the result of a hit and run, Tuesday saw the death of a man who had become trapped under a Queensway streetcar-one of three streetcar-related incidents in just a month, and on Wednesday and elderly man riding a scooter was hit by a truck in the West End.Though he fortunately survived, he was left with serious injuries.

Cycle Toronto executive director Jared Kolb called the latest incidents "devastating". Although there has been some neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood improvement on Vision Zero, Kolb hopes drivers will get on board with continuing to reduce speed across the city.

Meanwhile city mayor John Tory defended the progress his plan has made, pointing out the various efforts towards changing speed limits, investing in safety zones and implementing both photo radar and intersection improvements as part of the five year plan.

"I'm absolutely determined we're going to get there," he said.