Coalition wants Ontario's chief medical examiner to investigate evidence that heavy vehicles are linked to more road deaths
Coalition of Cycling and Walking Advocates.
Possible options include higher-class driver's licenses to drive large pickup trucks and SUVs, increased vehicle taxes, manufacturers, and government-imposed vehicle size restrictions. It could prevent trucks and SUVs that are "dangerous by design" from reaching the road, the group suggests.
The coalition asked Ontario's Chief Coroner, Dr. Dirk Huyer, to investigate evidence that these heavy vehicles are responsible for more road fatalities and promote road safety. I have asked you to make a recommendation to
“A study of Toronto Police Service data for 2021 found that of 20 vehicle-identified pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, 45% died in pickups and SUVs, while , 20% died in conventional cars," the coalition said in a letter to the coroner.
Albert Koehl, an environmental attorney and coordinator of the Community Bikeways Coalition, one of his groups involved in the coroner's request, said the car maker would be willing to buy these heavy-duty vehicles. They say they are hyping the car. Extra size is needed by the majority of drivers.
Cars increase the danger not only to cyclists and pedestrians, but also small car drivers who are tempted to hit a pickup truck or his SUV, he said.
"We are all losing in what is called an arms race," Koehl said Wednesday. "If you personally feel safe and everyone is rushing to get a bigger car, there's going to be someone else on the side of the crash, so to speak. And as a community, we're in a big car. You can't say you put people first and don't worry about people in small cars, on foot, or on bicycles."
He said he had not prejudged the matter, but offered several options suggested by experts.
The coalition was talking about more We're talking about a heavy, premium version, he said.
Many of these vehicles are blunt, making it difficult to see other road users, and the design often includes blind spots, he said.
Some of these vehicles are used for work, but Koehl said he used to work in trucks, previously with smaller pickups than are now found on the road.
"We know these vehicles are growing to tremendous sizes without having great utility," he said.
In a letter to the coroner, the coalition also seeks death examinations for heavy commercial vehicles such as dump trucks and cement trucks based on their involvement in numerous fatalities.
aartuso@postmedia.com
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