Pedestrian Death Review

The Ontario Road Safety Annual Report 2008 utilizes a simpler definition which is, “Any person not riding
in or on a vehicle involved in a motor vehicle collision.”7
 This was the definition we adopted in our study.
Pedestrians are vulnerable road users as they lack protection if struck by a vehicle. In Canada, from 2004
to 2008, 13% of all road fatalities have been pedestrians; 8 % motorcyclists, and 2% bicyclists. In total,
these vulnerable road users account for almost a quarter of traffic fatalities in Canada.8
According to this report, characteristics of pedestrian traffic fatalities in Canada are as follows:
• 75% of pedestrian traffic fatalities occurred on urban roads;
• 60% of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were trying to cross the road;
• 35% of fatally injured pedestrians were aged 65 or older even
though they represent only 13% of the population;
• 63% of pedestrians killed at intersections were 65 or older;
• 6% of fatally injured pedestrians were under the age
of 16 and of these, 20% ran out into the street;
• 33% of fatally injured pedestrians acted in a manner
which caused or contributed to the crash;
• 33% of fatally injured pedestrians were struck by a driver
who had committed a traffic infraction prior to the crash;
• 60% of pedestrians were killed at night or during dim
light conditions when they were not seen by drivers; and
• 40% of fatally injured pedestrians had been drinking.9
Historical Pedestrian Death statistics in Ontario
Ontarians reside in a society where we place a high value on preserving human life. Great
effort is made on the part of both governmental and non-governmental organizations to
promote health and prevent death. Because of this work, knowledge currently exists related to
pedestrian deaths. The Ministry of Transportation publishes the Ontario Road Safety Annual
Report, and in 2005, the Ministry published a report called, Pedestrian Causalities in Ontario:
a 15-year review.
This report contains information with respect to pedestrian deaths over a 15 year period from 1988-
2002.
• In the 15 year period, 2,089 pedestrians were fatality injured,
which accounted for 14% of motor vehicle fatalities;
• Older pedestrians >75 years accounted for 21.2 % of all fatalities;
• Child and youth fatalities in those less than 19 years of age are declining, likely due to less walking;
• 11/100 pedestrian collisions in rural areas were killed, whereas only 2/100 in pedestrian
collisions occurring in urban areas were killed, likely due to higher speeds in rural areas; and
• Locations of fatalities for pedestrians included:
• 55% occurred away from an intersection or private drive
• 32.3% occurred at or near an intersection
• 11.5% occurred due to vehicles turning in/out of an entrance

Link:
http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/stellent/groups/public/
@mcscs/@www/@com/documents/webasset/ec161058.pdf