Re: Don’t blame pedestrians, Letter, Aug. 2

Don’t blame pedestrians, Letter, Aug. 2

Before the installation of pedestrian countdown timers, everyone understood that the flashing red hand signal means don’t start crossing the street until the next walk signal. Today, pedestrians are incensed at the idea that cars should be allowed time to make turns in pedestrian-free intersections, but this has always been the law.

The countdown timers were intended to help pedestrians already crossing know how long they have to reach the other side of the street and were not intended to provide any information to drivers.

This well-intentioned enhancement has resulted in dangerous behaviour by both pedestrians and drivers.

Instead of stopping for the flashing don’t walk sign, pedestrians treat the countdown as a challenge to see how quickly they can cross. Toronto pedestrians can frequently be seen stepping off the curb with only 1 or 2 seconds remaining.

Drivers have taken the countdown as an opportunity to accelerate as they approach the intersection and speed through an amber or red light.

The pedestrian countdown timer, instead of helping pedestrians and traffic, has been a big fail. Both safety and traffic flow could be improved by doing away with the countdown timers and reverting back to the simple flashing signal, together with a public education program on what “don’t walk” means.

Jill Rose, Toronto