Toronto amps up pedestrian safety measures
After 2016 went down as the deadliest year for pedestrian deaths in Toronto since 2003—46 people were killed, according to The Globe and Mail—John Tory's municipal government is amping up its safety measures.
In an announcement delivered yesterday, city councillor and public works and infrastructure committee chair Jaye Robinson outlined what its plan for that would be. Some notable aspects of the city's initiative include the installation of more red-light cameras at dangerous intersections, the implementation of "senior safety zones" where older citizens are particularly at risk, a re-engineering of certain roadways where modifications could reduce fatalities, and a decision to carry out detailed safety audits in order to gain further insights.
The plan has proposed the addition of 76 new red-light cameras across the city. Several of the intersections chosen as hosts for these cameras were also included in The Toronto Star's 2015 list of the city's most dangerous intersections. Those are Ellesmere and Bellamy, Sheppard and Morningside, Weston and Lawrence, Islington and Albion, and Lake Shore and Spadina. Red-light cameras capture footage of vehicles that enter intersections after a light has turned red so that they can be penalized accordingly. The current fine for this type of violation is $325, with $260 going to the City of Toronto, $60 to the Province of Ontario, and $5 towards court costs.
Over two-thirds of the victims in last year's pedestrian deaths were over 65, which is why Toronto has prioritized the creation of those aforementioned safety zones in dangerous areas. Changes to those areas will include lowered speeds, increased walk times, better pedestrian markings, and clearer signage. The majority of the proposed spots are located in the east end while only one (Dundas and Spadina) is from Toronto's downtown core. Robinson stated that the city is aiming to accomplish this particular initiative within the first three months of 2017.
The roadway re-engineering will take place at 13 different locations. It will focus on widening sidewalks and extending curbs so that pedestrians are less vulnerable.