Montreal’s sidewalks, parking lots and other public places were the scene of nearly 14,000 falls from 2016 to 2020, more than half of which led to hospital, reveals a very first Public Health study.
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These accidents also affect a large majority of people aged 50 and over, according to the Montreal Public Health Department, which carried out this study based on interventions carried out by Urgences-santé.
Number of outdoor falls by age and gender
On the island of Montreal from 2016 to 2020
“It’s just the tip of the iceberg,” breathes Sandrine Cabana-Degani, general director of Piétons Québec, about the data only from Montreal and linked to a call to ambulances. But it demonstrates the importance of better maintaining our pedestrian network.”
“[Les chutes] are a major cause of road injuries, but they are not counted,” she laments, hence the importance of this first study.
Montreal Regional Public Health Department
With this data, Public Health shows that older people are more at risk of serious falls. These accidents are also more frequent in densely populated places and during freezing or thawing, in particular.
Number of outdoor falls by month of year
On the island of Montreal from 2016 to 2020
If the findings are not surprising for Piétons Québec, Mme Cabana-Degani hopes they can raise awareness in cities and the government.
Because in 63% of falls, the person had to be taken to hospital for their injuries.
Types of external post-fall interventions following a call to Urgences-santé
On the island of Montreal from 2016 to 2020
“Often, it is taken for granted that we will clear the streets of snow, but the sidewalks depend on whether there is enough budget left and whether it is not too expensive. But pedestrians have the right to mobility, even in winter,” argues M.me Cabana-Degani.
“It’s a significant burden,” emphasizes François Tessier, one of the co-authors of the study, about falls. But we especially don’t want people to stop walking.”
Distribution of external falls by districts
On the island of Montreal from 2016 to 2020
Hence the importance of prioritizing pedestrians and ensuring the maintenance of public spaces, he adds.
The City has a role to play in spreading abrasives on sidewalks, but also businesses, since a majority of falls occur in parking lots.
Number of exterior falls by location
On the island of Montreal from 2016 to 2020
For his part, the spokesperson for the City of Montreal, Philippe Sabourin, said he applauds the public health initiative. He points out that the City spends $187 million on snow removal for approximately 190 cm of snow received each winter. Montreal spreads 200,000 tonnes of salt and gravel according to the principle of “the right quantity at the right time”.
Reducing falls on the city’s 6,000 km of sidewalks is part of the City’s plans, continues Mr. Sabourin.
On average, Montreal has had around 25 claims over the last five years for outdoor falls, where the City’s liability has been demonstrated.