Man killed by driver downtown
A man was killed by a driver in a downtown alley Wednesday night. CTV headlines their version 74 year-old man dies after collision with vehicle which, at best, is an odd way of putting it, given that Radio‑Canada reports that the man was already lying on the ground. TVA specifies that the driver didn’t see him.
Blork 15:35 on 2024-09-12 Permalink
TVA also refers to the victim as pedestrian (piéton). Are you a pedestrian if you’re laying on the ground?
I’m not taking the piss, I’m asking legitimately (for lexicographical reasons, as one does). This seems like a shortcoming based on seeing people as either (a) driver, (b) cyclist, (c) pedestrian and nothing else, which is likely a traffic reporter’s flaw. But if I’m laying on my sofa watching reruns of “Friends” am I a pedestrian? (My tastes certainly would be, but that’s a separate conversation.) If I’m sitting on my front step and a car jumps the curb and plows into me, am I a pedestrian?
Maybe they should have just said “person.”
jeather 16:35 on 2024-09-12 Permalink
I assume the man in the alley had been a pedestrian and tripped and fell. I think if you are going somewhere by foot you are a pedestrian during the portion of your trip that is on foot, but not if you are just hanging out on your porch. But then if you are walking and taking a break on a street bench, are you a pedestrian? Maybe if you are on a sidewalk or street or the like you are a pedestrian.
Joey 17:00 on 2024-09-12 Permalink
Something I learned recently: it’s forbidden to drive through an alley to bypass a street. In theory, you are not allowed to enter an alley at one end and exit at another (say, to avoid traffic or a red light). Alleys are often badly lit and not intended to serve as ‘service roads’ – even more so downtown. I don’t doubt that the driver didn’t see the man; I wonder if he should have been driving there in the first place (though of course there are lots of legit reasons to be driving in an alley), Seems like that alley serves as a backdoor delivery/trash pickup for buildings on MacKay and Bishop, and possibly some parking lots as well.
Ian 17:41 on 2024-09-13 Permalink
Yeah it’s the same rule as cutting across a corner parking lot at, say, a gas station to avoid waiting for the light. Before long it’s become a regular thing and people trying to use the space for the purposes it was meant for simply can’t. Discouraging shortcuts is a big part of planning, and another good reason for green alleys to have bollards that can only be moved for emergency access..