Pedestrian Safety Should be A Priority

November 02, 2017, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Pedestrians seem to be open game for drivers in the Region, and in fact, in most of Ontario. There are many causes for this, but it appears firstly, drivers aren’t paying attention to them. In 2016 there were 120 people hit by a car. That’s one person EVERY 3 days in the Region. And remember that when a car hits a person, it doesn’t matter who is at fault, there is only one loser.

For a few lucky pedestrians the collision causes very minor injuries. For most pedestrians hit by cars the collisions were not only avoidable, but the lives of the pedestrians is changed for the worse for weeks, months or even for life. For a sad number there is no ‘rest of their life’ as they are killed in the crash.

There is no pedestrian accident that cannot be avoided either through better road design, or by better driving, or by more attentive walking.

I have written about Vision Zero in the past here. Sadly, we as a driving society, don’t seem to be adopting safer road design and driving habits. Vision Zero is a philosophy that places road safety directly in the hands of those people who design the roads and those people enforcing the rules of the road. Both groups are required to do their jobs well in order to make the roads safe for all people using them.

Hamilton has adopted the Vision Zero vision. Edmonton has adopted it. Toronto has as well. It’s time for the Region of Waterloo to jump on board and to begin to show a real commitment to keeping pedestrians safe on our road.

Please, have a read about Vision Zero, and consider contacting your Regional Council members to encourage them to adopt this important measure.  One pedestrian killed on the roads or sidewalks is too many. 120 hit while walking is a Regional tragedy.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.