When it comes to our city streets and our role upon them as pedestrians, we need to remember we are the ones in control of our own safety. While drivers are responsible for taking care on the road, people who walk, bike, or jog alongside them need to act as if sole responsibility for keeping safe is upon their shoulders - and theirs alone.
This is an especially crucial time for children to keep this in mind. This week, with the return of school, Toronto's neighbourhoods are once again full with children coming and going to class. And with the unseasonably warm weather, drivers may not be as cautious as they should be.Toronto police Const. Hugh Smith told Toronto Community News that the lack of snow can lull drivers into a false sense of security, making them think they don't have to change their driving habits. However, temperatures are dipping low enough that the risk of black ice at night and early morning still exists. It's darker outside too, which makes it harder for drivers to see pedestrians who aren't wearing reflective clothing or those who cross mid-block instead of at marked and well-lit intersections. The beginning of the year is a good time for parents to remind children to obey the rules of the road and be aware of their surroundings when walking along the street. Smith says in winter, pedestrians are covering up with hoods, toques and ear muffs, thereby limiting their sense perception and making it more difficult to hear oncoming traffic. Ear buds on iPods and cellphones can be just as distracting and should be put away when interacting with traffic.Smith says nearly 85 per cent of traffic collisions occur around intersections and are mostly due to miscommunication, which is why it's important for people to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the road. Don't assume someone sees you. Make yourself visible and be aware of cars around you and where they're headed. Life is too valuable to entrust it to a driver, who could be distracted by a cell phone, lunch in his lap or the passengers in his car. If your children are walking the streets, make sure they know how important it is to be aware of their surroundings. If you're the pedestrian, know that an ounce of vigilance could mean the difference between a safe roadside experience and a deadly one.