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)>