SCARBOROUGH MIRROR | Tuesday, March 12, 2013 |
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OPINION
The Scarborough Mirror is published every Tuesday and Thursday at 175 Gordon Baker Rd., Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2, by Metroland Media Toronto, a Division of Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Ian Proudfoot Marg Middleton Peter Haggert Alan Shackleton Warren Elder Angela Carruthers Debra Weller Mike Banville
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Make safety on streets a priority
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Write us
ith the impacts of the change back to daylight saving time and the anticipated increase of cars and pedestrians on the streets due to March Break, Toronto police have launched a safety campaign this week.
The March Break - March Safe Pedestrian Campaign will run through to this Sunday. Though already planned, this week’s campaign has been made all the more meaningful by the death of fiveyear-old Kayleigh Callaghan-Belanger on Cliffside Drive in Scarborough. Kayleigh died instantly last Thursday after being struck by a garbage truck while she was crossing the road with other children while on her way home from school. Police are still investigating the circumstances of the incident. Her death has touched all Torontonians: drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike. The consequences of these incidents are most often tragic and devastating. Sadly, this past weekend did not get much better on our streets. On Sunday, a cyclist suffered serious head injuries after being struck by a car on Bloor Street West, and a North York man suffered broken legs after he was struck by a vehicle. Part of the police’s message this week is that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and using caution in all circumstances is the best approach while on the roads. Part of the campaign will include increased enforcement of traffic violations committed by drivers, cyclists or pedestrians that threaten safety. Parking officers will also be out dealing with vehicles parked in ways that might impact saftey. Police will also be paying extra attention to unsafe behaviour in intersections, at crosswalks and by pedestrians crossing streets mid-block. This week’s campaign comes on the heels of a Toronto Police and GO Transit campaign urging pedestrians to Do the Bright Thing and make themselves more visible to drivers. Const. Hugh Smith pointed out that pedestrians taking actions to protect themselves was not a case of blaming them for being hit by vehicles. “So we’re just saying to be alert, be aware and be responsible for your movement.” We believe everyone using our roads has an equal share of responsibility when it comes to the safety of others and themselves. Drivers must always be keenly aware of the surroundings, following the traffic laws at intersections and not speeding, while pedestrians and cyclists need to improve their visibility and be vigilant. Together we can hopefully avoid more tragedies.
our view
Police launch March safety campaign
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COLUMN
Moving clocks up a wonderful idea S o, now that the clocks have been moved forward an hour, how are you enjoying seeing daylight rather than darkness in the early evening? I took a leisurely stroll around my neighbourhood Sunday night to gauge the reaction around here. And the verdict? I’d have to say that the majority gave it a resounding two thumbs up. But to be honest, it was far from a unanimous response. There were plenty of other views as well. For example, for a significant number the verdict was two paws up. In just as many cases, it was two wings up. For others, it was two ears up. Still others, it was two eyebrows up. And I came across plenty of bushy tails up as well. No doubt about it, the trend was definitely up all around. Topping the list of those
jamie wayne BUT SERIOUSLY
celebrating the much-welcomed extra hour of daylight without doubt were the birds in the area that were chirping an extremely catchy little tune. They were carrying on as if they had been anointed to herald in the clock change.
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The neighbours were out in huge numbers walking around and engaging in conversation or gleefully tending to gardening matters.
If they indeed had been singled out, I couldn’t think of a more fitting choice
for the honour. Equally excited were the squirrels racing around on the grass. They were even friskier than usual, which is saying something for this exuberant bunch. Normally the squirrels in this neck of the woods forage for scraps on fast food wrappers at this time, but they seemed to be just playing on Sunday. Dinner could wait this evening. They preferred to soak up the atmosphere. They had plenty of company. The kids on spring break were zipping around. Joggers and cyclists, too. The people walking their dogs all had an extra bounce in their steps that they don’t usually have when they go out when it’s dark. Which was a good thing, considering their pets were champing at the bit to get in on this daylight action. And not to be outdone were a couple of raccoons that typically aren’t visible when it’s sunny.
They were spotted peeking out from behind a nearby garbage can uncharacteristically curious about what all the hubbub was about. The regulars who work on Sundays and tend to have gloomy looks on their faces when they come home at this hour were delighted to be greeted by sunlight as they seemed to skip along the sidewalk. And the neighbours were out in huge numbers walking around engaging in conversation or gleefully tending to gardening matters. In short, the proverbial good time was being had by all. The moral of this story? Though it was just one night, it’s evident this daylight saving investment yields plenty of interest. And you can take that to the bank.
Jamie Wayne is a lifelong columnist, who takes writing very seriously. The topics? Not so much. His column appears every Tuesday. Contact him at jamie.wayne@sympatico.ca
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