In what’s becoming an alarming trend, Toronto highways saw two separate pedestrian incidents yesterday morning, causing significant delays during the morning rush hour.
Highway 404 was partially shut down after a pedestrian was struck near Sheppard Avenue East around 6 a.m. The individual was transported to hospital with serious injuries, according to Ontario Provincial Police who responded to the scene.
“We’re still investigating how the pedestrian came to be on the highway,” said OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt in a statement to media. “These situations are extremely dangerous for everyone involved.”
Just hours later, police received reports of another pedestrian walking in live lanes on the Don Valley Parkway near Eglinton Avenue East. Officers quickly located and removed the person from danger before any collision occurred.
These incidents highlight a troubling safety issue that’s been growing across Toronto’s highway system. Last year, Toronto Police Service recorded a 12% increase in pedestrian-related highway incidents compared to previous years.
“People don’t realize how quickly these situations can turn tragic,” says Marisa Wong, transportation safety analyst with the Toronto Road Safety Coalition. “A vehicle traveling at highway speeds has very little time to react to a pedestrian, and the consequences are often devastating.”
The morning’s events caused ripple effects throughout the city’s transportation network. The Highway 404 closure backed up traffic for several kilometers, while the DVP incident slowed the already congested morning commute.
TTC spokesperson James Allen noted, “When highway incidents occur, we often see a surge in transit ridership as commuters seek alternatives. Yesterday morning, our Line 1 subway saw approximately 8% higher ridership than normal.”
Urban planning experts point to broader issues that may contribute to these dangerous situations. “We need to examine why people are attempting to cross highways on foot,” explains Dr. Naveen Patel from Ryerson University’s Urban Planning Department. “In some cases, it’s related to inadequate pedestrian infrastructure connecting communities separated by these major roadways.”
The incidents serve as stark reminders of the importance of pedestrian safety education. The City of Toronto’s “Stay Off Highways” campaign, launched last summer, aims to raise awareness about the extreme dangers pedestrians face when entering highway environments.
For those experiencing emergencies while driving on highways, authorities remind motorists to remain in their vehicles when possible and call for assistance rather than attempting to cross lanes on foot.
As I was covering this story yesterday, I witnessed firsthand the extensive backups on alternate routes as drivers sought detours around the Highway 404 closure. What struck me was how a single incident can affect thousands of commuters, highlighting just how interconnected our city’s transportation systems truly are.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation continues to study potential infrastructure improvements to prevent highway pedestrian access at high-risk locations throughout the GTA. Until those solutions are implemented, officials urge pedestrians to use designated crossings and never attempt to walk on or cross highways under any circumstances.
