Walking in Waterloo Region

[danbrotherston]

Despite the nature of this accident, I think the greater risk at this intersection is the number of left-turning vehicles. I drive through the intersection every day and I've seen a tonne of close calls, always with a left-turning vehicle waiting for a break in traffic (which can be hard for motorists to see due to the queues that tend to persist in the turn lane) and then gunning through when they see the opportunity. A simple solution the city or region could immediately implement is making left-turns only during the advance-green cycle (maybe lengthening it slightly to compensate).

A fully protected left would improve safety in other ways yes, but narrowing the lanes and tightening the turns would also make lefts safer (and easier) by slowing traffic.  Best would be to do both.

Speaking of left turns, this morning there was a big accident at Park and Victoria.  I only happened upon the scene as I was walking to the market but there are bits of car everywhere, a very wrecked SUV, and tracks all along the sidewalk.  It must have been a pretty high speed impact.  If there had been anyone walking, they'd be lucky to be alive.