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Eight Toronto pedestrians hit in 45 minutes

Eight pedestrians were struck by vehicles in Toronto in less than an hour on Monday morning, prompting police to warn the public to be cautious when crossing streets in winter weather.

In separate incidents around the city eight people were struck by vehicles, including a woman pushing a stroller at Don Mills Road and Havenbrook Boulevard, and an 83-year-old man near Kennedy Road and Eglinton Avenue East.

"You need to be a conspicuous pedestrian, meaning you have to be visible to those people operating motor vehicles," said Const. Clint Stibbe.

"In this case, the pedestrian did nothing wrong but was still struck."

The man was hit by a van and is in critical condition at a local trauma centre.

Police said most of the pedestrians hit were wearing dark clothes.

"Wearing dark clothing on an essentially dark and rainy morning is no different than a dark and stormy night, you become less visible," said Stibbe.

Police are advising pedestrians to wear lighter clothing and reflective patches.

"Something that makes you stand out when that light is shone on you from a vehicle could be the difference between life and death," Stibbe said.

Brian Patterson of the Ontario Safety League said pedestrians simply need to be more visible during this time of year, when the days are getting shorter.