Alarming Rise In Pedestrian Deaths, Toronto's Metro Newspaper Reports

A recent article headline in Toronto's Metro newspaper cites "Reckless drivers, kill 24 , up from 16 last year."

The article went on to say that "there had been a dramatic increase in Toronto's pedestrian fatalities this year...compared with 16 in the corrosponing period in 2004."

In the article Brian Patterson, the President of the Ontario Safety League suggested "a lack of respect for basic road laws" as the culprit describing it as now being an epidemic.

Mr. Patterson went on to say that the "same people who are putting pedestrians at risk, flying through stop signs are the same people who park in fire routes, are the same people who park in handicapped spaces...calling it "reckless behaviour."

I don't think there is anyone living in the vacinity of Oxton Avenue & Oriole Parkway would disagree that our corner has seen its fair share of really ignorant and reckless driving...so much so that is it any wonder we're now forced to run for lives when crossing Oxton at this intersection.

I hope the city read this article too.

"Quiet Residential Neighbourhood" Sign Installed

The city has now installed the "Quiet Residential Neighbourhood" sign on the street post (not sure what it is holding up, be it wires or lights or both) at the south-east corner of Oxton Avenue @ Oriole Parkway.

I know it's only a sign and we can't stop people ignoring it by continuing to hook, lets hope that enough people see the sign and are guided by it. It's a small step, but I think to the residents of 130 Oriole Parkway any help is a relief.

Regards, Mark

Oxton-Oriole Has Gone International...!

Hi Folks:

"Think globally...act locally" or is it "Act globally...think locally," I'm never sure, but one thing is for sure the Oxton Pedestrian Safety Petition has gone international!

Below is a list of some of the countries recent visitors to the site have come from:

• Australia
  
• Belgium
  
• Chile
  
• Costa Rico
  
• Estonia
  
• Egypt
  
• Greece
  
• Guatemala
  
• Hungary
  
• India
  
• Ireland
  
• Malaysia
  
• Mexico
  
• Netherlands
  
• Norway
  
• Portugal
  
• Singapore
  
• Spain
  
• Switzerland
  
• Turkey
  
• United Arab Emirates
  
• United Kingdom
  
• United States

I think we need to apply for a UN seat in New York, don't you? Should the city let us down here on "the ground," I now know that I'll be able to count on international pressure for help!

Seriously, though if you are from another country other then Canada "welcome" to the site. I'm not sure if finding us was just an accident, but if you did look around the site, I'd like to hear from you. Please email me and tell me about what happens in your neighbourhood when your village, city, state government does things that just seem to trample all over everybody.

In reality (no this wasn't a recent discovery - ha ha) our pedestrian safety issue is pretty "small potatoes" in the big scheme of things, but local action by neighbours to correct a bad move by government is a good thing (if you happen to live in place where this is possible).

Toronto really is a great city to live and work (even if I am doing battle with with our local government at the moment) so I hope one day you get an opportunity to visit our fair town!

Regards, Mark

SUV's Hazardous To Pedestrians...Researchers Warn!

Paul Taylor of the Globe & Mail (October 9, 2005) recently wrote a small piece on SUV's and pedestrian health...Here's a summary of his artical...

"Sport-utility vehicles are having a rough ride these days...and now, some doctors want SUV's labelled a threat to public health..."

Mr. Taylor quotes a British Medical Journal report that says...

"...People hit by SUV's...are more then twice as likely, to suffer serious injuries or be killed compared to people in collision with cars...because of [SUV's} high front ends..."

"...Pedestrian injuries from cars are mainly leg fractures and knee injuries [from the bumper] and head injuries from the secondary impact with the hood or windshield..."

"...The shape and extra height of an SUV's front end means the upper body takes the full force of the primary impact...as a result SUV's inflict far more serious injuries to the abdomen, torso and head...and worse the extra height of an SUV...limits the drivers ability to see around the vehicle.."

"...Consumers should be told of the risks when buying an SUV..."

Indeed, the Irish Medical Assocation recently called on manufacturers and dealers [to] display notices [inside] the vehicles...".

Well, it all sound s reasonable to me.

Regards, Mark

(You can view this article by searching Medline Plus "SUV" and see Motor Vehicle Safety