NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN FATALATIES ALREADY THE HIGHEST IN EIGHT YEARS
(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has investigated an alarming number of pedestrian fatalities in 2016.
Already 30 pedestrians have lost their lives this year in motor vehicle collisions. This is over 66% higher than the same period in 2015, where we had investigated 18 pedestrian fatalities during the same time period.
The total number of pedestrians killed (by year) on OPP patrolled roads:
| Fatalities
|
Year
|
Fatalities
|
Year
|
| 30 | 2016 (Jan 1 – Nov 13) | 29 | 2011 |
| 25 | 2015 | 21 | 2010 |
| 26 | 2014 | 30 | 2009 |
| 24 | 2013 | 16 | 2008 |
| 27 | 2012 | 37 | 2007 |
As winter approaches and we experience fewer hours of daylight, many people might expect that a significant contributing factor in these fatalities is the darkness. In reality, of the 30 pedestrian fatalities in 2016, 65 percent of them happened during daylight conditions, with only 7 percent occurring in the dark, while the remaining 28 percent occurred at either dawn or dusk.
The statistics also revealed that the ages of the deceased vary widely, from children under four years of age, to teens and adults including seniors over seventy five years old.
The OPP want to remind all road users of their personal responsibilities in road safety.
As a driver, be alert, avoid distractions, continually scan for pedestrians and always be prepared to stop.
As a pedestrian be aware of your surroundings, do not become distracted and do not assume a driver sees you even if you can see them.
We all need to get home safely every day, please do your part for road safety.