100% agree with you here. Had an interesting exchange with some people on Reddit/Toronto regarding this issue and these guys hate the car with a passion and basically the conversation went "doesn't matter if pedestrian / cyclist gets into the right of way of the car, the driver MUST be 100% aware and be fully responsible for hitting anyone" I couldn't believe the ******** they were spewing. I gave up.
Anyway this law won't make much difference, same as the laws for texting and driving haven't seen much traction either. "It won't happen to me" is the attitude and the almighty "I'm more important than all of you" will always win out.
I've had a few close calls walking across intersections where someone either blew a red or decided to turn left while I was a few inches away.
One report I saw said one of the tankers was carrying diesel. Not sure about the other one or any training requirements. That explains the length of burn, I would think gas would have burned out faster.
For one fire test I was vaguely involved with an open diesel flame was required. Gas was sprinkled on top of the diesel to get things started. Sounds like we had the combo.
The issue of cell phone distractions is just a proxy for all your resentment against pedestrians who don't signal their awareness of you.
I almost hit a pedestrian last night.
As I approached and intersection to turn right I had the green light and he had the walk signal. He was standing on the corner talking on his phone. I saw him push the walk button to cross in the direction that currently had the walk signal *spidey senses were tingling*
He ended his phone call as I came up beside him. I stopped to see what he was doing as he stared off at the horizon. He didn't go, so i started to go, then he noticed he had the walk signal and jumped out in front of me.
SMRT.
It is all part of the Me Me Generation. The unfortunate part is that it would have been your fault. So run the F@#%#r over anyway. I know we all wish. Lol. What a first class idiot.