8% increase in vehicle vs. pedestrian collisions (3 photos)

The summer has arrived and with it comes an increase in the volume of cyclists and pedestrians on Sudbury's sidewalks and streets.

The Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) has taken the opportunity to remind drivers to be vigilant and aware of pedestrians and to take extra caution when driving this summer.

In 2014, there were 91 incidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians or cyclists (an eight per cent jump from 84 in 2013), with 74 resulting in injuries and three fatalities.

A GSPS press release stated,“whether we operate a motorized vehicle or a bicycle, or choose to get to our destination on foot, we all need to pay close attention to our surroundings and remain vigilant. By allowing ourselves a few extra minutes for travel purposes, we tend to eliminate the need to rush which is when most incidents occur.”

According to GSPS statistics, July ranked fourth in number of vehicle on pedestiran collisians last year, with a total of eight incidents.

Recent changes in the Highway Traffic Act also demonstrate that the onus is on drivers to be more vigilant when sharing the road with cyclists.

Fines and demerit points have increased for drivers who "door" cyclists (when someone in a parked car opens their door without checking, and hits a passing cyclist) and all drivers are to maintain at least one metre of space between their vehicle and a cyclist when passing, wherever possible.

A lack of attention being paid by drivers to pedestrians was one of the leading causes of these incidents in 2014, accentuating the need for drivers to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.

In 23 instances, the driver failed to yield to the right of way of the pedestrian, and in 17 instances, driver condition was listed as inattentive.