Not immune to traffic tragedy

Monday last week, the people of Wolfville awoke to learn that one of their citizens had died the evening before after being struck by a car not far from his home in the town.

The news left those who knew retired Wolfville school principal Donald M. MacPherson deeply saddened. MacPherson and his wife, Phyllis, who survived the mishap but went to hospital in serious condition, were crossing Main Street on their way to a concert at Festival Theatre. The fact that it was the couple’s anniversary adds to the sense of frustration and sorrow.

We think the terrible tragedy warrants a word about the need for pedestrians and drivers to be constantly vigilant as they go about their daily routines. To outsiders, especially those who come from busy urban centers, Wolfville streets are likely to appear the epitome of safety. Traffic moves at a fairly slow pace and there are plenty of marked crosswalks on the main thoroughfare. But those who are more familiar with the habits of people who live in or visit the town know better.

Close calls between the two happen relatively often in the town, which at times has a surprisingly thick concentration of vehicles and people.

In December 2004, Transport Canada released a report on pedestrian fatalities and injuries, covering the 10 years from 1992 to 2001. During that period, pedestrian fatalities went down by an impressive 24 per cent, with the biggest drop occurring among children nine years of age and under. Credit for that improvement likely goes to an increase in school safety programs that teach kids the importance of making sure they can be seen.

The report highlighted the fact that on average, one pedestrian is killed every day on Canadian roads. Seniors are still the most at risk. Pedestrians 65 and over suffered a disproportionate number of deaths and injuries during the time period studied.

Almost 70 percent of fatalities and about 95 percent of injuries happened in urban areas. When a vehicle hits a pedestrian on a rural road the outcome is most likely to be fatal due to higher vehicle speeds.

In 77 percent of fatalities and 49 percent of injuries, no traffic control was present. The victim may have been crossing between intersections, walking along the side of the road either against or with the traffic, or running out into or playing on the street.

Most pedestrian fatalities (80 per cent) and the majority of injuries (57 per cent) occurred while the vehicle was travelling straight ahead. Intersections were the most common location.

The statistics also revealed that there are more pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the latter part of the afternoon and during the fall and early winter. The greatest number of fatalities occurred between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., while injuries peaked between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The worst months for fatalities were August to December. Injuries were most frequent in September to January. The report suggests this time-related profile is due to the shortening of daylight hours during the last three months of the year.

The fact that Wolfville is full of university students rushing to classes or cafes, a large population of seniors, and no shortage of families with children and/or dogs – all of whom tend to criss-cross Main or Front streets to get to where they are going and back, makes the chances of pedestrians getting hurt a very real possibility.

The bottom line is, drivers and pedestrians can’t be so distracted by their thoughts or busy lifestyles that they let down their guard. An accident, like the one that befell admired and respected members of the community last week, is surprisingly easy to prevent.