Police officers investigate the city’s latest fatal accident involving a pedestrian. Emergency services were called to Davenport Road and Symington Avenue for a woman who died after being struck by a SUV.John Hanley
The image worked well for television - police officers spreading out across the busy downtown core Wednesday, issuing tickets to jaywalkers in a crackdown meant to curb a recent spate of pedestrian fatalities in Toronto.
"We're here to educate people … by cautioning people or by enforcement," Sergeant Glen George said, in one of a number of interviews police did with local print and broadcast media. "When that hand is flashing up there, you shouldn't be crossing the street … It could be your life."
But was it all for show?
Some studies suggest that such "blitzes," targeting either drivers or pedestrians, do little for long-term road safety. One American report released last year cited an experiment that found enforcement dropped speeds "temporarily" by four miles per hour, while traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps and diversions slowed traffic by 14 miles per hour. Another 1995 study concluded it was "unable to demonstrate" that cracking down on drivers made a difference for pedestrians.
On Wednesday a Canadian advocate echoed the findings, saying better road design, such as restricting right turns on red lights and increasing crosswalk signal times, makes a bigger difference.
"Frankly, to change behaviours and make cities more safe is really a matter of design, in conjunction with education campaigns," said Jane Farrow, a pedestrian advocate and executive director of Jane's Walk, which is named for the late urban activist Jane Jacobs.
"It's not just handing out tickets and preventing jaywalking. … You have to look at the whole street design and see how it can be a shared space for everyone."
Sergeant Tim Burrows, the face of the police department's Traffic Services division, acknowledged the studies but cited others showing enforcement makes a difference, as does road design.
"Enforcement does change behaviour, but it's not one of those one-off enforcement things. It's consistent enforcement and strategic enforcement," he said. "These blitzes, in some regard, they raise awareness."
Police issued more than 100 tickets yesterday, despite warning signs and the high-profile blitz, Sgt. Burrows said.
On Bay Street, just south of Front Street, pedestrians hopped over or ducked under the barriers and darted through heavy traffic to get in and out of Union Station, ignoring a number of bright yellow warning signs and undeterred by the sight of two police officers issuing tickets for jaywalking.
Amy Comber, an 18-year-old Oakville resident, was stopped by a police officer after she and her friends were caught jaywalking just a few feet away from the signal crossing.
Ms. Comber, a student at George Brown College, said she would pay more attention if she planned to jaywalk again at that particular spot. But a ticket won't deter her from crossing illegally elsewhere.
"I don't think giving tickets is really going to change a lot of people's minds," she said.
"… I'm a really careful jaywalker, only if it's an appropriate time. I don't run in front of cars or anything."
The blitz came at the end of a month that had a rash of pedestrian fatalities. Of eight city traffic deaths since Jan. 10, seven have been pedestrians. In response to such numbers, any added awareness is a positive thing, Sgt. Burrows said.
"In the end, I don't care if we issue one ticket or 1,000 tickets. If we save one life, I think it's worth it," he said.
With a report from Joel Tiller
Caroline Alphonso