GuelphToday received the following Letter to the Editor from Andrea Bidgood concerning the Guelph police's warning about pedestrian collisions.
When did we, as a community, start blaming and justifying harm to others simply because they aren’t behind the wheel? Driving is a privilege, not a right, and with that privilege comes a fundamental responsibility to operate with care to try and protect those around us.
In light of the Guelph police's warning about four pedestrian collisions in under a week—three of which resulted in confirmed charges against the drivers, while the fourth involved complexities related to occurring on private property—we continue to see public reactions that shift the blame onto all pedestrians—and cyclists, even when they aren’t mentioned in the articles!
It’s concerning how quickly we excuse or justify careless driving habits and cling to misconceptions about the law instead of confronting the real issue: ensuring the safety of everyone on our roads.
Despite confirmed charges against drivers for collisions that clearly occurred in pedestrian spaces, we still see public comments like, “Pedestrians need to look more and make eye contact.” Responses like these (and worse) misses the mark entirely.
Some comments suggest that we expect pedestrians to move and react with a level of athleticism that the average person simply doesn’t possess. In reality, many community members face varying degrees of mobility and reaction times, even if those challenges aren’t immediately visible from behind the wheel. Road safety requires more than merely following the rules—and yes you should follow them even if you perceive others not following them—it demands that we genuinely care about the well-being of others. Dehumanizing pedestrians by treating them as nuisances or obstacles is unacceptable. These are real people with real lives trying to navigate the same streets we all share.
Cars are fast and heavy, making those who drive responsible for the consequences of operating them. Even minor incidents can have long-lasting consequences, affecting not just individuals but families and shape how we all perceive each other and feel about sharing our public spaces.
When we say, “It goes both ways,” we ignore the reality that drivers hold the power to cause significant harm. A pedestrian may do everything right or they may make a mistake, but it’s the driver who controls a vehicle capable of life-altering damage. This is precisely why vehicles have compulsory insurance, with coverage often in the six figures; this build up of incidents can also affect your premiums in the long run.
With budget decisions coming up, investing in active transportation is a must that benefits everyone in the long run. We’re not just looking out for a select few; we’re caring for our friends, family, and neighbours. Safe streets allow loved ones to walk, bike or roll if they want to, creating a community where everyone can thrive.
Furthermore, active transportation infrastructure is more cost-effective than expanding roadways and more effective at reducing congestion than simply adding more lanes. By minimizing the likelihood of accidents, we can ease the strain on our healthcare system and alleviate the financial burden of injuries and disability support on taxpayers.
I encourage everyone to make their voices heard: attend city council meetings, participate in public engagements, and reach out to your councillors to discuss these vital issues.
It’s time to reflect, educate ourselves, and take action for the safety of everyone in our community.
Andrea Bidgood
Vice-chair, Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation
Guelph
