The City Is Changing These 8 Busy Intersections Because Toronto Drivers Can't Turn Left
Cyclists and pedestrians across the city rejoice!
It's time to buckle up, Toronto -- the City is trying its best to help you nail those left turns by installing literal bumper rails to guide you along.
Mayor Tory announced earlier this morning that the City launched its left-turn calming pilot, created to reduce the number of left-turn collisions that take place.
"Left-turn collisions at signalized intersections are among the most prevalent type of collisions in Toronto that have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries to people walking and cycling," the mayor tweeted.
This pilot is part of the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan the City implemented that aims to reduce the amount of traffic-related injuries and fatalities in Toronto.
These rubberized speed bumps will "harden" the centre line and encourage Toronto drivers to move up the crosswalk at a sharper angle instead of cutting corners and taking the intersection diagonally. These bumper rails will also apparently slow down the rate of these left turns and provide better visibility to the driver for pedestrians and cyclists on the road in front of them.
"The locations were selected based on collision history, collision severity, and findings of past safety reviews," Tory said.
These are the eight intersections the City has or will install bumper rails at:
- Eglinton Avenue East and Brimley Road;
- Finch Avenue East and Sandhurst Circle;
- Sheppard Avenue East and Kennedy Road;
- Victoria Park Avenue and Sheppard Avenue East;
- Victoria Park Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East;
- Lawrence Avenue East and Curlew Drive;
- Don Mills Road and Steeles Ave East;
- Mount Pleasant Road and Merton Street.
Bumpers have already been installed at Finch Avenue East / Sandhurst Circle and Sheppard Avenue East / Kennedy Road, and the remaining six intersections will be changed by the end of August.