Spate of collisions prompts further warnings from police

Police are again cautioning drivers and pedestrians to take care after five people were struck by vehicles in just a few hours on Tuesday evening, followed by a sixth who was hit Wednesday morning. 

The accidents come just days after police launched a safety campaign, reminding Torontonians that wet-and-dark November is traditionally the deadliest month of the year for pedestrians. 

"You need to make sure the vehicles do see you, that they know where you're headed, that they actually, when they make their turns, know you're there," said Const. Clint Stibbe of the Toronto Police Service.  "Unfortunately that isn't happening." 

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• November often a deadly month for Toronto pedestrians

The five accidents reported Tuesday occurred between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Those hurt include a 70-year-old woman who suffered injuries to the head and face after she was hit around 4:30 p.m. near Dundas and Dupont streets by a pickup truck whose driver left the scene. She is listed in critical condition.

Police say a 54-year-old woman was then hit around 6:30 p.m. by a sport utility vehicle near Victoria Park Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East. She is listed in serious condition.

Three other pedestrians who were hit in separate incidents suffered minor injuries.

Shortly before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, a sixth pedestrian — a 49-year-old woman crossing against the lights — sustained minor injuries after being struck by a vehicle near Avenue Road and St. Clair Avenue.

Slower signals

The city is trying to make problem intersections safer by improving road markings and signs, said Stephen Buckley, Toronto's general manager of transportation services. Pedestrians will also have more time to make it across the street. 

"We've actually dialed down the assumed speed of a pedestrian from 1.3 metres per second to 1.0 metres per second, so what we're doing is we're giving longer crossing times for pedestrians," Buckley told CBC News. 

Last November, there were nine pedestrian deaths in the city.

Toronto has seen 23 pedestrian fatalities so far this year, down from 32 this time last year. Nine of the pedestrians injured by vehicles so far this year have been seniors.

Pedestrian deaths represent more than half of all traffic fatalities in Toronto.