Thread by @FFSafeStreets

Two years ago today, a hit-and-run dump truck driver struck Clayton Barnard, dragging him 25m and killing him. Witness: "He...was gasping for help and air. I think he wanted to just have someone hold his hand…and he died shortly after.” #TODeadlyStreets #RoadViolence #WalkTO

Clayton was 36 with a loving family, wife, and bright future. He was going to apply his paralegal degree to help immigrants. He did not deserve to die like this. His family did not deserve to lose him in such a senseless, preventable way. #TODeadlyStreets
arbormemorial.ca/scott-mississa…

The driver, Roshan Navacodi, 38, of Toronto was charged with fail to remain causing death, and careless driving. Fail to remain can be fined $500-$2500, possible license suspension less than 2 years, possible prison sentence less than 6 months. mississauga.com/news-story/804…

Careless at the time carried $400-$2000 fine. Worst case Navacodi got $4500, 2 year suspension (which would be over now!) and 6 months prison for taking a life. Probably actually got much less. THAT IS NOT JUSTICE. This is why we fight for #Bill62, the Vulnerable Road User Law.

This case fits right in with what we know about deadly high-speed suburban arterial roads. The street where Clayton was crossing - Dixie near Rathburn - was a whopping SEVEN LANES WIDE. There was no #CompleteStreets infrastructure or pedestrian protection. #TODeadlyStreets

The speed limit on Dixie where Clayton was killed is 60km/h. Any pedestrian struck at such high speed is all but guaranteed to die of sickening, horrific injuries. Broken bones, severed spinal cord, catastrophic head injuries, massive internal hemorrhaging. #TODeadlyStreets

Per #PeelRegion's #VisionZero summary, under engineering changes, they list "signage enhancements" (p. 10) which is the one thing we know DOESN'T WORK to reduce driver speed. No specific plans to make Dixie safer mentioned in any document we can find. peelregion.ca/pw/transportat…

#VisionZero often deteriorates into patchy half-measures which don't work. What DOES work is widespread infrastructure design change. Infrastructure design influences behaviour of all road users to be safer, and protects the vulnerable from motor vehicle traffic. #TODeadlyStreets

If the city had narrowed car lanes to induce slower speed, installed pedestrian bump-outs, added a leading pedestrian interval, added protected cycle tracks which also protect pedestrians, or done anything to control heavy truck traffic, Clayton would likely never have been hit.

These interventions are easy and relatively cheap. Unfortunately to many of our leaders, human life is cheaper. They don't whole-heartedly stand behind a fast, adequately funded rollout of #VisionZero, because they are afraid of political blowback from those who depend on cars.

The #TODeadlyStreets status quo doesn't work for ANYBODY. It doesn't work well for drivers, and it doesn't work for vulnerable road users who are seriously injured every day and often killed. Changing to prioritize active transportation and public transit should be a no-brainer.

Our hearts are with Clayton's wife and family today in agony, anger and grief. We are fighting for more of the changes that would have saved Clayton's life. Improving #RoadSafety is a long, uphill battle. Delays to effective #VisionZero implementation cost lives. #TODeadlyStreets