More on Honking and the SUV Accident..!

Here's a note from Meryse a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

My husband and I live [on Oriole] Parkway, and we are very glad that you are doing this! We live RIGHT at the corner...and we are going crazy from the constant honking of horns by cars...this has gotten MUCH worse since they took the yield sign down.

I am a physician (intern) and I sometimes work shifts, or work for 30 hours at a time and have to sleep during the day, and this has become nearly impossible with all the honking.

Basically, I think the problem is that people coming around the corner at Oxton hesitate because traffic coming south from Oriole come fast and often change lanes right at the corner. People like cab and bus drivers or locals honk like crazy because they want the driver in front to just turn...but there is a reason people are hesitating! Because people DO CHANGE LANES there and come over into their lane!!!! Generally speaking, if so many people are hesitating at that corner, it's because IT DOESN'T FEEL SAFE!!! And it's not.

To exemplify this let me tell you about an accident at this corner last week: I was standing in my living room looking out the corner window when I heard a bang and screeching, then an SUV came swerving onto the grass in front of my window off the road. The SUV was turning from Oxton onto Oriole and a moving truck was coming south on Oriole, and CHANGED LANES at the corner, and drove the SUV off the road and about 3 metres from my apartment window, while I was standing RIGHT THERE.

This isn't the first time I've seen similar things happen there. My final concern is that I also park in my building, and the entrance to the underground parking is right around the corner on Oriole...I'm sure you can imagine how dangerous it is turning that corner then immediately trying to turn into our garage when people come whiping around the corner.

I am literally nearly rear-ended EVERY SINGLE DAY. At the very least, the should be a "hidden driveway" sign right there. So, that is my point of view. Something needs to be done about this. It is too dangerous, and too loud. I love this neighbourhood, but I can't wait to get out of my building because of this corner. Thank you for doing this, and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help {your petition]! Seriously! Take care ...

Maryse (Last name and email address withheld by request)

I am going crazy with all the honking ...!

Here's a note from Ruth, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

...I just wanted to let you know that I am going crazy with all the honking that is going on outside, it's getting way out of hand. If there's anything that I can help you out with [the petition], let me know...

Ruth (Last name and email address withheld by request)

Councilman's Assistant, Transportation Services & Our MP Not Much Help Last Year!

Here's a note from Michael, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

I spoke to Chris Sellors, Councillor Michael Walker's assistant. Nice guy but not useful on this issue. He sent me to Steve Benjamin at City Hall.

Nice guy but not useful on this issue. He told me that what I wanted came under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario.

I called Michael Bryant's office (he's our MPP) and spoke to his then-assistant, Jeanette. She said send her the info...

...I was looking for less than you. Just a sign that would say Pedestrians Have Right of Way.

[I was told] there aren't too may pedestrians so why hold up traffic with a stop sign?

Actually, half the people stop at the corner even though they don't have to. But a pedestrian still can't cross in front of them because he doesn't have the right of way and one never knows when they will charge forward.

I was told to use the stop lights at Kilbarry and the cross walk at Highbourne. This is ridiculous because they are not on the natural route to Yonge Street from here.

Michael (Last name and email address withheld by request)

MP Michael Bryant Hasn't Got back To Me...

Here's a note from Fran, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

Mark, thank you for initiating a petition to make our corner safe.

I have written to Michael Bryant twice and have yet to receive a response from his office. I was beginning to think I was the only person willing to at least verbalize my concerns.

I live facing the street at [on] Oriole Parkway and not only do I risk my life every day, the drivers leaning on their horns at all hours infuriates me. The honking is for drivers who even dare slow down before turning from Oxton onto Oriole. I could go on and on.

Fran (Last name and email address withheld by request)

Pedestrian Gap? What Gap?

Here's a note from Pooja, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

...I think the fact that there's a sign asking pedestrians to yield to
motorist traffic is quite ridiculous at a place with continuous
traffic.

When drivers do stop there they're looking the other direction to check for oncoming traffic down Oriole, most times completely oblivious to the person standing there waiting to cross, so you're never sure when it's safe.

I usually try to make clear eye contact with the driver before crossing, inspite of which I've still had angry honks and screeching halts from cars that come flying down
Oxton and get annoyed at having to slow down while you get across.

I appreciate your initiative in trying to make our neighbouhood safer...

Pooja (Last name and email address withheld by request)

It's Not Safe for Pedestrians, Cyclists and Drivers

Here's a note from Jan, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

Re: Oriole + Oxton - Safety for Pedestrians, Cyclists and Drivers

Thanks again for your insights and energy in bringing our local safety and neighbourhood quality of life concerns to various City of Toronto officials.

This is a brief submission - observations from someone who has lived at that corner...for 20 years.

What has always been a busy and noisy corner has become dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers - with an increased the level of noise as impatient drivers honk more frequently.

As a driver who must exit from / enter a driveway to the underground parking lot [on] Oriole, two issues have made this a more difficult and dangerous exercise:

1. The HIGH SPEED at which many drivers turn south from Oxton to Oriole, and
   
   
2. The LACK OF ATTENTION TO THE SOLID LINE that prohibits a lane change (to the right lane) for southbound traffic in front of 130 Oriole. (Drivers that have moved through the traffic calming area on Oriole between Eglinton and Oxton start to speed up and change lanes as they pass Oxton, disregarding the solid line.)

When you observe traffic flow at the corner, you see that the speed at which may drivers travel would indicate that either they are UNAWARE of or are IGNORING the posted speed limit of 20 on Oxton -- and pay LITTLE ATTENTION to the merge diagram sign and the sign indicating hidden driveways.

Pedestrians and cyclists appreciate the cautious / courteous drivers who come to a stop / allow pedestrians to cross at Oxton and Oriole before turning south -- but this action often prompts drivers behind to honk; this honking goes on day and night -- a horror for homes facing this intersection.

As a frequent pedestrian at the corner of Oxton and Oriole, since the removal of stop and yield signs, I find this the most dangerous corner to cross in midtown.

Pedestrian traffic at Oxton and Oriole includes seniors, students, and families with young children.

Pedestrians have no rights at this corner.

Drivers are given no instruction to even be aware of pedestrians.

I would hope that the corner could be monitored -- to observe driver behaviour and traffic patterns, and to record driver speed on Oxton.

And I look forward to changes...

THANKS. JAN

Last name and email address withheld by request)>

Then Councilor Didn't Listen To Neighbourhood 10 Years Ago

Here's a note from Don, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

I think you will have some positive results from these speed violation patrols.

I have to say that I have witnessed more speeding in the p.m. rush hour, going N/W on Oxton Avenue from Oriole Parkway. I witnessed someone today who was obviously tailing someone at a speed greater than 40 k/hr.

Did you attend the neighbourhood meetings years ago with Ila Bossons ,(our then City Counsellor), who explained the plans for a continuous flow traffic on hwy. 11A? At the time northbound traffic on Avenue Road at Oxton had the right of way. Most of the homeowners and leasers in the neighbourhood were against the change to a continuous flow traffic.

Our voices were not heard at the time, as they stated that Hwy 11A was an emergency service route that fell under the jurisdiction of the MTO and the city.

I can still hear emergency vehicle sirens in the silent hours after 11pm. Sometimes 3am. This never happened 10 years ago.

I keep my fingers x-ed, as the noise volume is becoming unbearable. Thanks, again for your persistence.

Don (Last name and email address withheld by request)

20Kms? More like 60kms on Oxton!

Here's a note from Fran, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

...I can’t believe what they have done [at Oxtona and Oriole]. It’s a license to kill as far as I am concerned.

With the yield sign gone, the cars don’t even slow down to take the corner and the 20 k sign is just a farce. I would defy anyone to clock a driver going under 60. Believe me, from my balcony, I have a bird’s eye view. In addition, my driveway is just around the corner and to slow down at that point is just inviting a rear end collision.

What were they thinking? It’s as though they took all your great solutions and threw them out the window. Was there even an explanation for why they removed the sign?

Fran (Last name and email address withheld by request)

Oxton & Oriole; I Avoid That Intersection...!

Here's a note from Crystal, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

...I don’t know if there’s still a petition to sign, I’d be more than happy to get my signature on that if it’s still possible. I certainly have my own share of stories with our horrible intersection.

I’ve lived [on] Oriole for 5yrs now, and I tend to avoid going to Davisville as often as possible, as there have been many moments when I’ve just missed being hit. I don’t recall the date, but I did actually have a complaint lodged with somebody or other down at City Hall, as I had literally been missed by mere inches by a guy who went around the corner at about 40km, and I can guarantee that he didn’t even see me.

And when drivers do see you, it’s clear they’re irritated that they even have to slow down to allow you to finish crossing. It’s just extra stress that we don’t need, enough of that already from other areas of life!

Crystal (Last name and email address withheld by request)

Majority of Drivers Don't Stop At Crosswalk!

Here's a note from Donald, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

Thanks for taking the initiative to set up a petition for these crosswalks.

I use the Oxton Avenue crosswalk on a daily basis. I too find it frustrating, as a good majority of the traffic does not stop for pedestrians. I can even recall on one occasion in the winter where my crossing had prompted and indignant look from someone who had rear ended a car that had stopped for me to cross. That same individual (like countless others) was using a cell phone and not paying attention to the traffic.

I agree with your suggestions to rectify this problem. I would aslo like to see random police patrols (see "July 12th Meeting With Police...") for each of our crosswalks, and a patrol for the "no left turn from 7-9" from Oriole Parkway on to Frobisher Avenue...

Don (Last name and email address withheld by request)

See Don's email regarding "Cars Passing On Oxton..."

Cars Passing on Oxton; Not again..!

Here's a note from Donald, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident, who writes...

...I have to have someone to vent to...

I [had] just returned home from shopping. Driving south on Avenue Road I have to reduce my speed to make the turn on to Oxton Avenue. My speed remains consistant and I make an early indication of my right-hand turn into my garage (just before the crosswalk).

The car behind me sped up, and passed into the on-coming lane (Oxton N/W bound). This really infuriates me, as there is a sign that clearly states "No Passing from here to the Cross Walk".

This has happened to me on more than a few ocaisions. It seems to be in the evening mostly...I am at work during the daytime, and it may occur then as well.

I seem to recall from driver's ed. years ago, if you hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk and it resulted in their death, you could be charged with manslaughter and imprisonment.

I don't think that even hits home with some of today's drivers. Perhaps I am getting too old, but I certainly feel safer in my vehicle than when I am walking.

Thanks for listening, Don (Last name and email address withheld by request)

Driver Can't Wait To Make Left Turn Onto Oxton!

Here's a note from Richard, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident..

He writes...

Hello fellow petitioners as an fyi and caution I'd like you all to be aware of an incident that happend to me on Monday night.

Coming home from work I was walking from the subway...I was nearly hit (the irony)!

There was southbound traffic [on Oriole] although somewhat sporadic. As one car was waiting to turn left onto Oxton a second car just behind this first became impatient because he was taking too long...realizing this was my opportunity of a "gap" I decided to cross Oxton...

...as I was taking my third step across this second car decided to make the left turn before the first car. He of course didn't think he was at blame and decided to honk his horn at me...

This unfortunately probably isn't the first time this has happend but something to be very, very weary of: There is no end to the Hunting Season on Oriole Parkway!

Richard (Last name and email address withheld by request)

The Car Hit My Suitcase As I Crossed Oxton Avenue!

Here's a note from Tavia, a local Oxton-Oriole neighborhood resident..

"I wanted to pass along an experience of the week regarding this intersection. Unfortunately they have been far too frequent over the past year and 1/ 2 I have lived [on] Oriole and I cannot begin to recall them all.

On Tuesday morning at around 10am I was crossing Oxton Ave about 1/2 a block from Oriole. There was no traffic "southbound" on the cut-through and no one had turned the corner from Oriole "northbound". I had my little suitcase and was crossing to my car on the other side when I was 1/2way across a car came speeding around the corner from Oriole and never slowed when it saw me but proceeded to lay on the horn. I quickly hurried up but apparently not fast enough because the car hit my suitcase and sent it flying. I was, expectedly quite shaken (and mad) and didn't have a chance to get the plate.


I am a driver and a walker and things like this infuriate me. Numerous times I have seen cars lay on the horn at the intersection whether coming north-south-east or west instead of just slowing down or braking for others. Had they slowed down instead of honked many accidents could have been prevented. Now I am not naive enough to think the city is going to make people better drivers but it has gotten to the point that I sometimes feel as though I live on Oriole-Oxton Island with no way off. I would love the city to recognize this is a problem and put in a stop sign or crosswalk before someone is killed."

Tavia (Last name and email address withheld by request)