Toronto is witnessing a rise in pedestrian fatalities from traffic incidents citywide, as per police statistics, with some advocates expressing little surprise. Data from Toronto police’s traffic services unit indicates 21 pedestrian fatalities due to traffic accidents this year, marking a 24% increase from the previous year. The city is currently on course to potentially surpass the 44 pedestrian deaths recorded in 2022, the highest in recent years. Toronto police cited an update in their reporting tools for the lack of detailed information on fatal incidents post-2022 and total traffic accidents post-2020.
Jess Spieker, a spokesperson for road safety advocacy group Friends and Families for Safe Streets, noted that the removal of speed cameras in November last year by the province has contributed to this escalation. She criticized the deteriorating driving behavior in the city, attributing it to the absence of cameras that previously deterred speeding.
The city has averaged approximately 4 pedestrian deaths monthly this year from traffic accidents and is projected to reach around 49 fatalities by year-end. Spieker emphasized the need for government officials, including Premier Doug Ford and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, to reinstate enforcement measures like speed cameras and promote the development of inclusive streets in Toronto and Ontario.
Regarding road safety measures, Dakota Brasier, a Ministry of Transportation spokesperson, highlighted the effectiveness of speed-reducing tools like speed bumps and roundabouts in enhancing road safety. Toronto has received $10 million from the province for implementing traffic calming measures that do not alter the existing roadway configuration. Reports indicate a prolonged timeline of 13 years and an estimated cost of $52 million for the city to install such measures.
Moreover, data from Toronto police revealed a five-year peak in motorcycle-related fatalities from traffic incidents, with 11 deaths recorded as of October 5 this year, representing a 57% surge compared to the same period last year.
Gary Smith, a Toronto resident residing in the St. Lawrence Market area, emphasized the daily risks pedestrians face due to aggressive and hazardous driving behaviors in the city. Smith began tracking pedestrian-involved collisions reported in news stories across Ontario in May to validate his concerns and potentially influence positive change.
Toronto police, represented by Nadine Ramadan, emphasized the consistent enforcement of traffic regulations post-removal of speed cameras. The police department utilizes analytics to pinpoint areas requiring enhanced safety measures and focuses on curbing risky driving practices such as speeding and impaired driving. Collaborative education sessions with the city aim to address the surge in fatalities by promoting responsible behavior among all road users.
While acknowledging the significance of awareness campaigns, advocates like Spieker stressed the limitations of merely admonishing drivers and highlighted the importance of infrastructure improvements and lower speed limits to ensure road safety. Sheyda Saneinejad, the manager of Toronto’s Vision Zero strategy, emphasized the city’s commitment to enhancing safety through safer street designs and pedestrian-friendly initiatives, aiming to prevent all road-related injuries and fatalities.