Nobody expects to walk the streets and not make it home. Roadside injuries have generally decreased over the years across Canada, but one glaring area of failure is pedestrian collisions and fatalities.
According to Transports Canada, over 100,000 pedestrian collisions occur every year. It’s not difficult to see why pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users. With no protection against other road users, the impact of a collision is often catastrophic. Naturally, Canada’s largest city is a hotspot for injuries and fatalities.
In this guide, we investigate who is most at risk of being injured and killed in Toronto pedestrian collisions, and how pedestrians can protect themselves while out and about in our largest city.
Key Takeaways
- Pedestrian injuries and fatalities have declined overall in the 21st century, but the numbers remain relatively stable.
- Seniors face the highest fatality risk, with rates climbing with age and peaking in the over-70s category.
- Clear, dry days see the most fatalities because drivers tend to let their guard down. However, rain and poor visibility tend to worsen outcomes, with accidents being more catastrophic.
- The larger the vehicle, the larger the harm, with SUVs and light trucks being overrepresented in the statistics.
- The Toronto City Council is in the midst of deploying its Vision Zero program, including measures like left-turn calming measures and lower speed limits.
- Driver choices matter most, but pedestrians can protect themselves by being extra cautious, obeying signals, and making eye contact with drivers while crossing the road.
- If you’re the victim of a pedestrian-car accident, your best defence is to contact a qualified legal professional to discuss your next steps, including potential compensation.
Current Toronto Pedestrian Accident Statistics
The carnage on Toronto’s roads causes disproportionate harm to pedestrians. In 2024, pedestrians were involved in under 2% of overall collisions. Yet the problem is they’re over 150 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured, compared to other road users.
Despite this, the city’s Vision Zero plan notes that deaths and serious injuries have been coming down over the past decade. For context, pedestrian fatalities reached their peak of 78 in 2016. In 2024, the Toronto Police Service reported just 24 pedestrian deaths, which is down 17.2% from 2023’s figure of 29.
If we look beyond fatalities and account for serious injuries, the number of fatalities and serious injuries has actually fallen from 680 in the year 2000 to 339 in 2023. Toronto can be proud of the progress it’s made to make the roads safer for all road users, but even one death is still too high.
That’s why the city has a comprehensive Vision Zero plan that’s designed to eliminate deaths and serious injuries through targeted actions.
Age-Based Pedestrian Collision Risk in Toronto
Digging into the statistics, we can see that the older you get, the more likely you are to be killed in a pedestrian collision. Fatality rates continually climb with age, per statistics from Statistics Canada, with seniors over the age of 70 having the highest rates of both serious injury and death. In total, there are 2.65 deaths per 100,000 for men over the age of 70 and 1.68 deaths per 100,000 for women over the age of 70.
It’s a fact that the city’s Vision Zero program has incorporated into its strategies to drive down deaths and serious injuries. The Toronto City Council specifically has an “Older Adults” section because older adults make up around 19% of all deaths and serious injuries on the city’s roads.
The fact is that seniors have continually made up a disproportionate share of pedestrian fatalities, with the historical number being around 60%, even though they comprise a much smaller share of the population.
Interestingly, this isn’t just a Toronto problem but a Canada-wide problem. It’s a trend that’s been replicated in practically every major city in the country. Researchers from Statistics Canada put this down to:
- Seniors walk at slower speeds.
- General frailty.
- Issues with visibility.
- Being unable to react to evolving situations.
What Time of Day Do Most Toronto Pedestrian Collisions Occur?
Risk changes depending on the time of day you’re out walking the streets. According to a 2024 Accidental Analysis & Prevention study, relying on data from the Toronto Police, there’s a significantly higher collision risk after dark.
However, there is some confusion. Previous analyses using city data actually report higher frequencies of pedestrian deaths during weekday rush hours. A 2008 study from the Toronto City Council says that evening peaks for pedestrian fatalities were during weekday evening rush hours, with elevated rates during the autumn and winter time.
Weather and Seasonality on Toronto Pedestrian Death Rates
Most people would assume that Toronto’s wintery conditions would result in spikes in Toronto pedestrian deaths. In fact, a CBC report found that clear, dry days were the likeliest time for pedestrian collisions to occur.
Reasons behind this include:
- More pedestrians are likely to be out walking on clear, dry days.
- A false sense of security leads to drivers and pedestrians being less attentive.
- Reduced driver vigilance during pristine conditions.
Don’t discount the impact of the weather, though. If we look at Canada as a whole, one in five pedestrian deaths involved environmental factors, including challenging weather and poor road conditions. But it is interesting to see that coroners mentioned the weather in just 8% of reports.
Still, rainy days historically increase the risk of pedestrian-vehicle collisions. According to the American Meteorological Society Journals, collisions increase during these days due to poor lighting and visibility.
What are the Most Dangerous Turning Movements for Toronto Pedestrians?
Left-turning drivers are among the biggest sources of harm. It’s a fact that’s been backed up time and time again by analyses across North America. For example, in Vancouver, 36% of all driver crashes were on left turns, with these movements resulting in twice as many pedestrian and cyclist deaths when compared to right turns.
A city analysis of Toronto in November 2024 finds the same results here. Left-hand turns were involved in 27% of pedestrian serious injuries and deaths, compared to just 9% for right turns.
But why are left-hand turns so dangerous? Generally, drivers are focused on dealing with oncoming traffic, which creates unintentional blind spots for pedestrians. It’s why Toronto has already implemented left-turn calming measures on several named intersections, including:
- Eglinton & Brimley
- Sheppard & Kennedy
- Victoria Park & Lawrence
- Don Mills & Fairview Mall Drive
- Jane & Dalrymple
How Do Left-Hand Calming Treatments Work?
Several Canadian cities have already implemented left-hand calming treatments, including Calgary and Vancouver. Also known as centreline hardening, calming treatments redesign intersections and their markings to slow left-turning vehicles and guide them.
It essentially forces drivers into making slower, wider turns to improve visibility and reduce the chances of accidents. They use painted safety zones, delineator posts, and rubber speed bumps to get the job done.
The advantages include:
- Fewer pedestrian crashes
- Reducing the number of sharp turns
- Improving driver behaviour
- Forcing slower turns
- Can be deployed with quick-build materials
Do they work? So far, they have been successful wherever they’ve been implemented. One analysis reported a 70.5% decrease in conflicts between pedestrians and drivers and over a 50% decrease in average and median speeds. Overall, the number of pedestrian injuries has dropped by as much as 20% in places like New York City.
What’s the Most Dangerous Type of Vehicle for Pedestrians in Toronto?
Vehicle size matters. Canadian road safety researchers have found that SUVs and light trucks are over-represented in cases of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. Despite only being involved in 15% of crashes, they make up 25% of deaths.
But why do these vehicles pose such a risk? It’s all in their design, with reasons including:
- Higher impact points, with SUVs and trucks more likely to strike an adult in the torso or a child in the head.
- The heavier weight of these vehicles means they generate greater momentum and greater force, which increases the risk of serious injury.
- Drivers have larger blind zones because of their elevated position and the higher front end.
- Thick A-pillars that support the roof obstruct the driver’s view, making it tougher to spot pedestrians.
There have been many cases where tests have shown that a pedestrian who would be completely visible in a smaller vehicle would be entirely unaccounted for when driving an SUV or light truck.
And it doesn’t help matters that vehicles have generally been getting larger across North America as a whole.
Where in Toronto are Pedestrians Most at Risk?
The risk for pedestrians in Toronto isn’t uniform across the city. The city’s authorities regularly review crash hotspots and the nature of accidents to determine where new safety measures should be implemented.
So, what are the areas that have been identified as particular risks for pedestrians and why?
Downtown Core Grid
The Queen-King-Dundas-Bloor-Yonge Grid is where you’ll find huge concentrations of pedestrians. Anyone who has ever driven in this part of the city will also tell you about how difficult it is to drive here.
Simply put, more frequent signals, more complex turns, and a higher concentration of traffic and pedestrians alike result in an elevated risk of pedestrian-driver incidents.
Multi-Lane Suburban Arterials
Several multi-lane suburban arterial roads have also been cited for additional safety work. The Toronto City Council has identified a number of significant roadways, including:
- Markham Road
- Kingston Road
- Kennedy Road
- Victoria Park Avenue
- Eglinton Avenue East
- Lawrence Avenue East
The Scarborough arterial roads and intersections have been the subject of the city’s left-turn calming treatments in recent years. It’s not hard to see why. These are wide roads with a high potential for left-turn conflicts. It’s why there have been a higher-than-average number of left-turn-related pedestrian collisions on these roadways.
North York Corridors
Severe collision activity has been reported along the North York corridors, including the Don Mills/Yonge, Sheppard Avenue, and Finch Avenue spines. The authorities have called out several sites in the North York area for safety interventions.
These arterial roads see more pedestrian collisions due to their:
- High turning volumes
- Elevated curb radii
- Major trip generators
- Multi-lane width
The York-Weston and Jane-Black Creek Nodes
Left-turn calming treatments have been deployed at intersections along these nodes, such as Old Weston Road & Turnberry Avenue. These roads sit on busy suburban arterials that connect essential parts of the city. Many of these intersections have large turning templates and complex merges that often catch out inexperienced drivers and inattentive pedestrians.
How Can Drivers Reduce the Risk of Toronto Pedestrian Accidents?
It’s the duty of everybody to keep the roads as safe as possible, but the onus is primarily on drivers because they’re the deciding factor in whether somebody makes it home.
So, what can drivers do to prevent an interaction with a pedestrian in Toronto?
- Stay alert when driving in areas where pedestrians are known to be, especially at intersections and in built-up areas.
- Always yield to pedestrians when they are crossing the road, even if there are no markings or traffic signals.
- Don’t attempt to pass a vehicle that has already stopped at a crossing, as the chances are they’ve stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the road.
- Pay special attention during nighttime hours or when visibility is poor, especially during the fall and winter.
- Watch your speed. It goes without saying that speed kills, and 23% of Ontarians have already received speeding tickets from automated speed cameras. Slow your speed and don’t be afraid to go slower than the posted limit, if the conditions call for it.
- Never drive intoxicated. Not only is it a crime in Toronto and the rest of Canada, but it also increases the likelihood that you won’t notice a pedestrian. Furthermore, drinking and driving increases your risk of crashing generally, which could also bring pedestrians into danger.
- Don’t drive distracted. It’s been illegal since 2009, yet distracted driving charges have increased by 42.72% since 2020, with Toronto making up 57.64% of Ontario’s total. In short, your eyes should be on the road with both hands on the wheel at all times.
Pedestrians can also cause accidents just like drivers, but driver choices matter most. The answer is to be aware of the risk and to take proactive measures to protect more vulnerable road users.
Practical Tips to Prevent Common Mistakes in Pedestrian Accident Claims
Understand that if you’re injured in a pedestrian-car accident, you have the right to make a claim for compensation against the driver’s insurance policy. Your first step is to contact a car accident attorney in Toronto who can guide you through the process.
However, plenty of valid claims are devalued and derailed each year because of mistakes pedestrians make when navigating the process, including:
- Not getting checked out at the hospital immediately after the accident.
- Failing to report the accident to the Toronto police.
- Forgetting to gather evidence from the accident scene, including photos and witness information.
- Not saving evidence of your losses, such as unpaid bills, missed shifts at work, or travel-related expenses for getting treated.
- Taking insurer calls and not passing them to your attorney.
- Posting about your accident on social media, especially if guessing or speculating.
- Signing statements that you don’t understand.
- Not keeping your story consistent across all channels.
We know that dealing with any form of accident is traumatic, but too many people make missteps that cost them the ability to effectively claim compensation. That’s why having a qualified legal professional by your side isn’t just recommended but essential.
Conclusion: What to Do After a Toronto Pedestrian Accident
If you were the victim of a pedestrian accident, you don’t have to sit there and accept it as “one of those things.” On the contrary, you have a right to take legal action, including calling the police and claiming compensation for your losses.
Talking to a personal injury lawyer in Toronto will help you through the process and improve your chances of a successful outcome. All accidents are serious, and you deserve to get justice. If you were involved in one of these accidents, contact a local Toronto car accident lawyer today.
Toronto Pedestrian Car Accident FAQs
Who is most at risk in Toronto pedestrian collisions?
The over-70s demographic reports the highest risk of fatalities and serious injuries, due to their limited walking speeds and general frailty. Typically, the risk rises further after dark due to reduced visibility.
When do serious pedestrian collisions usually happen?
The two main hotspots for serious pedestrian collisions are during the evening rush hour and after dark. The fall and winter seasons tend to see spikes in these types of accidents.
Where are the biggest Toronto hotspots for pedestrian collisions?
Downtown grids and turn-heavy suburban arterials are the biggest trouble spots for pedestrian collisions. Examples include corridors in North York, Scarborough, and the core downtown areas.
Which vehicle movements are most dangerous for people walking?
Left-turn accidents are among the most common accidents involving pedestrians. They’re involved in a disproportionate number of accidents because of the lack of visibility and attentiveness displayed by drivers.
What type of vehicle is the biggest threat to pedestrians?
The biggest threat to pedestrians is SUVs and light trucks. These vehicles are larger, and their elevated positions mean collisions tend to be in the torso and head areas. Additionally, their higher, blunter fronts mean that drivers are dealing with more blind spots.
How can drivers protect pedestrians in risky areas?
Drivers should slow down whenever they reach potentially risky areas, including busy intersections or when they’re looking to make a left turn. Always scan crossings before and during any maneuvers and yield to any pedestrians you come across. Avoid driving distracted and double your caution at night and in adverse weather conditions.
