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Toronto police kicked off a weeklong pedestrian safety campaign called “Do The Bright Thing!” on Monday morning at Union station.
Officers will talk to people at the subway station concourse all week, encouraging pedestrians to wear bright-coloured or reflective clothing when possible.
“The need [is] to be aware, alert and visible at all times on any road. Even in the most routine circumstances, it is a key component to ensuring your safe arrival at your destination. This applies to all pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and transit users alike,” Toronto Police Assistant Supt. Gord Jones said in a statement.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, 100 people per year have been killed, on average, in pedestrian-related accidents over the past three years.
“Simply wearing reflective or bright clothing can help save lives,” Transportation Minister Glen Murray said in a statement.
Toronto police have launched several pedestrian safety campaigns over the past year, including blitzes meant to educate pedestrians about the dangers of using electronic devices while crossing streets.
Why don’t the Federal and Provincial Governments introduce a law that forces the designers and makers of dark clothing specially the winter jackets to have a reflection colors that is part of their clothing? I think if it is a law then people specially the manufacturing side will incorporate this bright neon colors into their designs.
If you are questioning the logic of asking people to wear bright clothing, here’s a point: People cannot drive a shopping cart in the store without blocking/cutting off other people, so obviously in a car they are MUCH more dangerous. Bear in mind a lot of drivers are talking on the phone, looking at their phone, or they are just dumb, like the kind you see at four-way stops and have NO idea what to do.
I now live in Mississauga, and it’s waayyy worse out here. Drivers accelerate through crosswalks, don’t yield to pedestrians when making turns, come out of parking lots, gas stations like they’re Nascar drivers-in-training…..I usually bike to work, and ride with my hands on the brakes at the busy points. Bottom line—>You have to be SURE that drivers see you before you step onto the road. Cyclists, same thing – you MUST be sure that drivers see you – if bright clothing helps, then so be it.
lmao
if the driver cant make out a pedestrian he should wear corrective glasses
What if a pedestrians step into the street at night, from between parked cars. Corrective glasses for the driver won’t help this situation. Sometimes pedestrians are not at fault. That’s why jaywalking tickets are issued, especially when the pedestrian’s actions results in an accident.
Drivers make mistakes. Pedestrians make mistakes. Would you rather be right, or dead? Think about it.
Right or dead. I’d rather a driver slowed down and looked than the usual
As opposed to pedestrians crossing the road against the light? There’s stupidity on the part of both parties.
No, the right thing is for drivers to drive according to the conditions. If they can’t see far enough ahead to proceed with confidence that they will not kill anyone they need to slow down.
This is crazy! Like rape victims, police are blaming the victim for what they wear. Our streets are well lit, cars have headlights, it shouldn’t matter what a person is wearing if the driver is following safe driving practices. Where is the ‘education’ for drivers? When you get behind the wheel of a car you have a responsibility to be alert and pay attention, slow down if you can’t see clearly.
To compare this to rape is crazy. You have to admit that sometimes pedestrians cross in “non-crosswalk” locations, even at night. If bright colours or reflective material helps, why not make the suggestion?
Drivers have to be alert at all times, but pedestrians should also to care responsibility in their own safety as well.
Before you ask, I am a driver, but also a pedestrian. I wear a dark coat, but my coat and backpack have reflective material.
Queue the commuter: “It’s obviously the pedestrians’ fault. Take out sidewalks, and get those people…off my highway. Don’t you know Toronto is my parking lot?”
Thank God for this initiative; a few days ago I almost ran over a person jaywalking on a section of Queen street, and I didn’t see him until after the fact; dark night, dark clothing; I could be facing charges if it wasn’t by a miracle that this person didn’t en up on my undercarriage……. thx to the police services for the initiative…….