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Dashboard cameras may be the “silent witness” the TTC needs to ensure its drivers are held accountable for their actions, says Toronto critical injury lawyer John McLeish.
The onboard cameras, called dashcams, are being considered by the transit authority as conversations continue over safety on the TTC after the death of Amaria Diljohn, a 14-year-old killed by a bus in December.
Since 2009, there have been 5,000 preventable accidents on the TTC, according to a report by the CBC.
“On Oct. 11, 2014, a TTC bus struck and killed a 65-year-old woman walking in a crosswalk just outside of the Lawrence West bus station,” says McLeish. “On Nov. 9, 2014, a TTC bus crashed into a CIBC bank, leaving one dead. And on Dec. 19, 2014, a TTC bus struck and killed Amaria Diljohn. The 27-year-old TTC bus driver who struck Amaria failed to remain at the scene of the collision.”
Numerous crashes
McLeish, partner with McLeish Orlando LLP, says in 2014 alone, TTC drivers have been involved in numerous crashes that have injured or killed pedestrians, motorists, and TTC users.
“Only recently did TTC CEO Andy Byford order a comprehensive review of driver recruitment, training, recertification and monitoring programs,” says McLeish. “This review was originally ordered after a series of videos showed TTC buses running red lights. This review is now being fast-tracked after the death of Amaria.”
Dashcams will show negligent driving by TTC drivers, if it exists, says the critical injury lawyer.
“TTC drivers will be more accountable for their actions,” he says. “Dashcams can be the much-needed ‘silent witness’ to any collision involving a TTC bus or streetcar.”
GO Transit and the cities of Calgary, Winnipeg and Philadelphia have adopted the use of dashcams in their transit buses and streetcars, says McLeish.
“But the implementation of these new strategies comes too late for Amaria and the many other victims who have been injured or killed as a result of the conduct of a TTC driver,” he says, noting his firm has previously represented individuals who have been injured or lost a loved one as a result of the conduct of TTC operators.
“We have learned firsthand how needless and avoidable most of the collisions were,” says McLeish. “We have also seen the devastation caused to the lives of an injured person and to the lives of family members who have lost a loved one.”