Pedestrians’ Progress

Pedestrian fatalities went down by an impressive 24 percent over the 10-year period. The biggest drop was among children nine years of age and under. Nonetheless, an average of one pedestrian is killed every day on Canadian roads. Seniors are still the most at risk — pedestrians 65 and over suffered a disproportionate number of deaths and injuries.

Almost 70 percent of fatalities and about 95 percent of injuries happened in urban areas. When a vehicle hits a pedestrian on a rural road the outcome is most likely to be fatal due to higher vehicle speeds.

In 77 percent of fatalities and 49 percent of injuries, no traffic control was present. For example, the victim may have been crossing between intersections, walking along the side of the road either against or with the traffic, or running out into or playing on the street.

Most pedestrian fatalities (80 percent) and the majority of injuries (57 percent) occurred while the vehicle was travelling straight ahead. Intersections were the most common location.

The statistics also revealed that there are more pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the latter part of the afternoon and during the fall and early winter. The greatest number of fatalities occurred between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., while injuries peaked between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The worst months for fatalities were August to December. Injuries were most frequent in September to January. The report suggests this time-related profile is due to the shortening of daylight hours during the last three months of the year.

Alcohol is another significant factor in pedestrian fatalities. Of those who were tested for alcohol use, over 40 percent had been drinking. Most had blood alcohol concentrations over the legal driving limit (80 mg%). Alcohol was present in almost 30 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in 2001.

Based on its findings about pedestrian actions, the report recommends precautions highly reminiscent of Elmer the Elephant’s rules and CSC’s See and Be Seen campaign with Alliance Tire Professionals:

• Wear bright or reflective clothing.
• Take more care in crossing at intersections with or without traffic controls.
• Avoid crossing where the pedestrian has no right of way.
• Avoid running into the road or playing on the road.
• Always walk against the traffic where there are no sidewalks.