There was a “dramatic” drop in the number of pedestrians hit by vehicles in the city last year, but even one is too many, says Mike Darmon, president of the Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation (GCAT).
“It’s always a concern for us,” he said. “(Drivers) are maybe not always paying attention.
“COVID had to play a huge factor,” Darmon added of the decrease, noting roads have been a lot less busy since the pandemic started.
Pedestrians were struck by vehicles 33 times last year, down from 66 in 2019, year-end statistics from Guelph Police Service show.
“We’re also concerned about all the near-misses that almost happen,” said Darmon, noting he’s been involved in a few of those himself. “It may be luck more than anything.”
Of the reported collisions, 19 happened while the pedestrian was crossing with the right of way, suggesting the driver was at fault. There were four incidents of pedestrians struck while on the sidewalk or shoulder.
“Always be aware of the circumstances around you,” Darmon said of what safety advice GCAT offers pedestrians, noting electric vehicles and bicycles are virtually silent and therefore less noticeable. “Never assume that just because the light is green at an intersection that you will be fully safe crossing that road.
“We all need to take some responsibility for our safety.”
Eight other collisions happened while the driver had the right of way, six took place during crossings with no traffic control and one pedestrian was walking on the roadway. In four cases the pedestrian came out from behind a vehicle or object, six ran out into the roadway and once involved a person getting out of or off of a vehicle.
In all but one case, pedestrian collisions happened at different locations throughout the city. The only spot involved with two incidents was the intersection of Delhi Street and Speedvale Avenue.
Based on 2020 Guelph police statistics, pedestrians are most likely to be involved in a collision at about 5 p.m. on a Tuesday in January, while crossing at an intersection, with the right of way.
GCAT has been pushing for “slow street” designs for residential roads intended to decrease the speed of traffic, said Darmon. That many not lessen the number of pedestrian collisions, but it would decrease the likelihood of serious injury.
“Slow drivers down by design, make them have to weave around certain things, for instance,” he said. “If you can reduce speeds down to 30 km (per hour) from 40 or even 50, the chances of surviving that crash are dramatically increased.
“It makes it better for everybody, including drivers.”
