With early cold and snow in Ontario this year, motorists and pedestrians must be sure to take extra care. Car accidents are more prevalent in adverse weather conditions, and when there are pedestrians involved, the outcome is often tragic. While people of all ages are at risk when they have to get around on foot, seniors are typically more vulnerable and at an increased risk of being struck by cars.
Harsher penalties for car accidents causing harm to pedestrians
The Ontario Minister of Transportation, John Yakabuski, says irresponsible and unsafe driving continues to injure and kill pedestrians. He says the level of pedestrian vs. car accidents has become critical. For this reason, harsher penalties to ensure safer roads for all came into effect on Sept. 1, and he says these changes will convey a clear message of zero tolerance for dangerous driving.
No drop in car accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians
Pedestrians and bicyclists in Mississauga and across Ontario will always be vulnerable when they share the roads with motorists. They have none of the protection that automobiles offer, and injuries could be catastrophic or even fatal. Car accidents that involve pedestrians and cyclists often lead to spinal cord trauma, fractured bones or traumatic brain injuries.
Cyclist safety: Follow the rules of the road. Minimize risk.
Cyclists rightfully complain about poor drivers and the dangers they pose to cyclists. Drivers hit three cyclists in 24 hours in Toronto last week. Their bad driving habits are a major reason for these accidents. With bikes and cars both sharing the road, safety is everyone's responsibility. Cyclists play a role too.
Car accidents: Pedestrians and motorists must both take care
Pedestrians in Ontario will always be vulnerable, especially when they have to cross busy roads. The responsibility to protect lives is on the shoulders of both pedestrians and vehicle operators. If both groups comply with the applicable laws, auto vs. pedestrian car accidents might be avoided.
Hit-and-run car accidents: What if the driver remains at large?
Pedestrians in Ontario will always be at risk. While most drivers operate their vehicles responsibly, some are distracted or impaired, and they are frequently the causes of auto-pedestrian accidents. When pedestrians are struck in car accidents, their injuries are typically severe because they have no protection. Often, victims do not receive immediate care because some drivers choose not to remain at the crash scenes, leaving the injured victims for others to discover.
Mutual respect may limit car accidents involving pedestrians
Both pedestrians and vehicle operators are always at risk of being involved in traffic accidents in Ontario. For this reason, it is the responsibility of all to obey the rules of the road to avoid car accidents. If each group respects the other, there may be fewer injuries and fatalities.
Car accidents involving pedestrians prevalent in the winter
While fall and winter may be the most beautiful time of the year in Ontario, it is undeniably also the most dangerous time on the roads. Records show a definite increase in car accidents at this time of the year, and many of those involve pedestrians. Pedestrians are often chastised for their mistakes, and a recent proposal may make it illegal for pedestrians to be distracted by mobile phones.
Ontario pedestrians continue to be injured in car accidents
A two-car crash in Toronto's west end recently sent a pedestrian to hospital. Pedestrians involved in car accidents are not uncommon in Ontario -- especially in busy large city intersections. The victim was rushed to a trauma centre in critical condition.
A tort claim may be possible after a pedestrian accident
Sometimes even doing what appears to be the right thing for the situation can still lead to undesirable results. For a case in point, look no further than the Ontario woman recently injured by a vehicle as she crossed the street in a crosswalk. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, it may be that a tort claim is an appropriate course of action for her to take.
