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It’s no secret that the number of motor vehicle accidents have been steadily increasing on an annual basis in communities like Brantford, Cambridge, and Hamilton. While this has been a common occurrence, this is the Government’s latest attempt at preventing catastrophic injuries and fatalities from occurring on Provincial roadways. Known as the “Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act”, Bill 31 or the Transport Statute Law Amendment Act was passed on the 2nd of June, 2015 and went into effect on January 1st, 2016.
Hypothesis of the 2010 Report
Since the end of 2010, the focal point has been on pedestrian safety in the greater Toronto area ever since a series of collisions that occurred. There were 14 recorded fatalities in the GTA in one month alone and another 9 that occurred in the surrounding areas during that time frame. Furthermore, there was an incredibly high number of fatalities involving pedestrians alone. As a result the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services researched the issue of increasing fatalities.
The results of their study were published in a report entitled the “Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario Pedestrian Death Review: A Review of All Accidental Pedestrian Deaths in Ontario from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st 2010.” The study sought to disprove or prove a 4-part hypothesis as follows:
- Pedestrian fatalities are more during the months of November through March.
- Pedestrian fatalities are higher when motorists or pedestrians are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Pedestrian fatalities happen when the motorist or pedestrian is using their cell phone or some other electronic entertainment device.
- In most cases, the pedestrian fatalities that occurred this past calendar year could have been prevented.
It is included in the revised law provisions that will keep cyclists and tow truck drivers’ safe, when they are stopped or traveling along the side of Provincial roadways and streets. This is an important consideration for reducing accidents on the highways.
Eye-Opening Statistics
To say the least, the results of this research study revealed some shocking statistics. While the first hypothesis listed above was confirmed, other results revealed that:
- 55% of those fatalities occurred in the darker months of January through March and 57% occurred during dusk and dark
- 28% of pedestrian fatalities were attributed to alcohol, drugs, or a combination while 7% of the drivers involved in pedestrian fatalities were impaired in similar fashion
- 20% of pedestrians that were fatally injured were distracted
Ironically inclement weather and poor visibility were not major contributory factors as you would expect. In fact, 81% of all pedestrian fatalities occurred on dry surfaces. Part II continues with information regarding fines and penalties as well as other provisions of the “Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act.” which will help in lowering the number of automobile accidents.