A 10-year-old girl hit by a car while trying to cross the street last week was one of 16 pedestrians struck in the city in a span of two days.
Police say the girl was crossing in a school zone at Coronation Drive and Galloway Road at 8 a.m. on Nov. 18. The mirror of the vehicle clipped the girl, causing minor injuries with a cut to her head.
“She was walking with her dad and struck by a passing vehicle,” said Sgt. Murray Campbell.
The driver was a 62-year-old woman who was unaware the incident even took place and continued to drive, he said.
“The owner of the vehicle continued on for some distance, until another citizen alerted her to the fact that she had hit the child,” Campbell said.
Officials say pedestrian-vehicle collisions are common, especially in November when there is usually a spike in this type of incident. Last year around this time, 18 pedestrians were struck by vehicles. In 2008 durng the same period, 16 were hit.
Police blame shorter days with fewer hours of sunlight and colder weather for the rise in collisions, as pedestrians dress in darker clothing making them difficult to spot.
Toronto Police recently concluded a week-long pedestrian safety campaign. Over 7,000 tickets were handed out to motorists and cyclists who endangered pedestrians to curb collisions, while nearly 1,200 tickets were given to pedestrians for jaywalking.