On 14th March, Toronto Police Service issued an announcement that they would take part in a week-long civic engagement focused on educating and protecting road users, according to a news report on Narcity. Driving in the 6ix can be a distressing experience, and it’s not about bad traffic only. It was stated that nine traffic accident fatalities have been recorded since the start of 2022, and six were pedestrians.
Police added that a significant number of road fatalities involving pedestrians occur on wide arterial roads, which have high volumes of traffic. Recently, campaigns addressing road safety in Toronto have been launched to increase penalties that would reduce the rate of road collisions in the city. This year’s initiative will be a bit different, as traffic enforcement officers pay more attention to road safety education and the top behaviors that lead to collisions, such as aggressive driving, speeding, driving while impaired, and distracted driving. Below are a few tips on how all road users can stay safe on the roadways.
Pedestrians Should Make Eye Contact To Avoid Accidents
This trick is crucial for pedestrians, including school-going children, as they are at high risk of being hit by motorists while crossing roads. Locking eyes with drivers ensures that they see you as you cross the road so they can slow down, thus mitigating the risk of a crash. If you are a pedestrian, use this tactic at intersections, crosswalks, and parking lots. That way you can see incoming traffic and ensure motorists see you. This technique is also effective for ensuring road safety for cyclists because it creates spatial awareness.
Avoid Distractions
According to FVF Law, there are many factors that cause collisions, and some cases are usually complicated. You may need a car accident lawyer to investigate and identify the person liable for the accident. One of these factors is distracted driving. In most cases, drivers get into preventable accidents because they are either talking on the phone or texting. But smartphones aren’t the only cause of distracted driving. Eating, applying makeup, changing audio, or interacting with passengers are all types of distractions drivers should avoid.
Jaywalkers also enjoy texting while walking, a habit that’s linked to an increased rate of near misses on roadways. If you’re a pedestrian, avoid texting or calling and walking at the same time. Cyclists and drivers should also look out for this behaviour to avoid hitting pedestrians.
Look Out For Commercial Vehicles
Learning how to share roads with commercial vehicles like buses and trucks is key to making roads safer. As a general rule of thumb, don’t tailgate semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles because they have blind spots on both sides. This means the driver can’t see you in their side mirror and you can’t see the road ahead. If the truck driver makes a sudden stop, you’ll have a difficult time stopping your car and end up crashing into the truck. Given trucks need space to make turns, pedestrians should always keep a safe distance from the edge of sidewalks.
Maintaining road safety is a responsibility for all road users. Whether you’re a motorist, cyclist, or pedestrian, be sure to follow road safety rules. In addition to obeying traffic signs, avoid distractions, and be on the look out for large vehicles.
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