Mayoral candidate Olivia Chow says she would revamp Toronto’s 100 worst intersections for pedestrians, and invite neighbourhoods to apply for reductions to local speed limits, as part of a “Target Zero” campaign to eliminate pedestrian deaths.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has launched a similar but broader pedestrian safety initiative.

Chow says she would make improvements to all 100 intersections within four years. The city has already announced a plan to alter the 10 worst at an average cost of $7,000.

Many of the possible changes, such as lengthening walk times and painting new markings on the ground, are inexpensive. Others, such as sharpening curbs to force drivers to move more slowly while turning, would cost more than $7,000.

“Everybody, at one point, are pedestrians. Whether you drive, take TTC, or you walk, we’re all pedestrians. So let’s make it safer,” Chow said.

There were 40 pedestrian deaths in 2013, a 10-year high. Chow’s news release noted that the spike occurred “under Rob Ford.” It is not at all clear, though, whether the increase was connected to city policy or was simply random. There were 24 pedestrian deaths in 2012.

Chow said she would allow entire neighbourhoods to come together to request 10 km/h reductions to local speed limits. At present, such requests are made on a street-by-street basis.

Every 10 km/h speed reduction below 60 km/h makes a significant difference in the likelihood that a pedestrian will survive a collision with a car. In 2012, chief medical officer Dr. David McKeown called for a city-wide reduction of 10 km/h on local streets and 10 to 20 km/h on main streets, prompting angry criticism from the car-friendly mayor.

Chow said she is not looking to reduce speed limits on main streets. She also said she would let local communities propose their own reductions for side streets.

“I don’t think it should be a top-down decision,” she said.

Chow made the announcement at the intersection of Royal York Rd. and Mimico Ave. in Etobicoke, ranked at 22nd on the city’s worst 100 list as of 2013. Most of the intersections on the list are in suburban areas.

The city’s rankings formula factored in the number of collisions and the volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic over five years.

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