The Toronto Star has two articles about pedestrians today. Slow streets, safer driving? looks at Eric Dumbaugh’s study: “Safe Streets, Livable Streets” (small pdf) which shows that roads with wide sidewalks and streetscape treatments such as trees are safer because the busy street scene causes drivers to slow down. The response from City staff quoted in the Star seems defensive.
Lawsuits cost city $49 million reveals the City’s Lawsuit settlement history. It turns out that about half the settlements — $24.3 million — were agreed to by the City’s transportation division. Primarily claims by pedestrians who have fallen on icy or snowy streets. Sounds like the City would be better off spending that $24 million maintaining the sidewalks.
