Ontario's Doctors And The Ontario Provincial Police Are Joining Forces To Champion Pedestrian Safety

TORONTO, Sept. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Ontario's doctors, along with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), launched a public awareness campaign, Pedestrian Safety is a Two-Way Street, urging both pedestrians and drivers to take charge of the safety of our roads.

With summer holidays over and kids back to school, the roads are busier. Pedestrians and drivers need to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of everyone, whether on foot or behind the wheel.

The number of pedestrian fatalities in the province is alarming. Approximately 100 pedestrians are killed in Ontario every year; tragically, most of these incidents are preventable. According to a recent report, Ontario has an estimated 2,695 emergency room visits due to pedestrian related collisions each year.

Ontario's doctors and the OPP are encouraging the public to take these safety precautions:

If you are a pedestrian:

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Stay off electronic devices, which are known to cause distraction.
• Ensure you are visible to drivers.
• Obey traffic signs, look both ways, and make sure that you have time to safely cross all lanes of traffic.

If you are a driver:

• Watch your speed and be aware of reduced speeds, especially in school zones.
• Avoid distraction: put your phones and electronic devices away when driving.
• Yield to pedestrians, especially at intersections when making a turn.

Quotes

"Pedestrian safety seems like common sense, but we've all been inattentive or distracted when walking or crossing a street, at one time or another. Empowering pedestrians to take charge of their own safety could prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths."

Dr. Ved Tandan
President
Ontario Medical Association

"All road users have a shared responsibility for road safety. Drivers are reminded to use extra caution in areas of pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings, always cross at crosswalks, and remember that drivers may not see them so exercise caution."

Chief Superintendent Charles (Chuck) Cox
Ontario Provincial Police - Highway Safety Division

Video with caption: "Quote from Dr. Ved Tandan, Ontario Medical Association President.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140902_C2156_VIDEO_EN_5253.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20140902_C2156_VIDEO_EN_5253.jpg&order=1&jdd=20140902&cnum=C2156

Video with caption: "Quote from OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140902_C2156_VIDEO_EN_5255.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20140902_C2156_VIDEO_EN_5255.jpg&order=2&jdd=20140902&cnum=C2156

Video with caption: "B-roll of pedestrians crossing streets, busy intersections and vehicle traffic.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140902_C2156_VIDEO_EN_5254.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20140902_C2156_VIDEO_EN_5254.jpg&order=3&jdd=20140902&cnum=C2156

SOURCE: Ontario Medical Association

OMA Media Relations at 416.340.2862 or toll-free at 1.800.268.7215, ext. 2862, [email protected], @OntariosDoctors, www.OntariosDoctors.com; Ontario Provincial Police, Highway Safety Division, Media Relations, Sergeant Kerry Schmidt at [phone]