12 pedestrians struck on dark, rainy roads this morning

As many as 12 pedestrians were hit by vehicles on Toronto streets this morning as heavy rain and dark skies combined to create a tricky morning commute. 

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Police say many of the pedestrian strikes were minor in nature, ranging from bumps and bruises up to broken bones. Police are asking drivers and pedestrians to take extra care on the roads today.

"The weather is not what's causing the collision, it's the driver's negligence, and unfortunately in some cases the pedestrian's errors," said Const. Clint Stibbe of Toronto Police Traffic Services.

Police say on average they see about six pedestrians hit in a 24-hour period in Toronto.

"We never take a driving course after the one we get our license from, we never go back and try and become better drivers," said Stibbe.

"Unfortunately we develop some really bad habits."

Pedestrian collisions were reported at the following 11 locations, all before 10:30 a.m.:

• Burnhamthorpe Road at Renforth Drive.
• Finch Avenue East and McCowan Road.
• Vaughan Road and Oakwood Avenue.
• Martingrove and Dixon Roads.
• Church and Shuter Streets.
• Kipling and Evans Avenues.
• Steeles and Birchmount Avenues.
• Martingrove Road and Enterprise Avenue.
• Finch Avenue and Tapscott Road.
• Dufferin Avenue and Wilson Road. 
• Kipling Avenue and Rathburn Road.

The above total includes only reports from Toronto. Police in Peel and York region each reported two pedestrians struck this morning. 

Rain and wind warnings and flood watches have been issued as the remnants of Hurricane Patricia move across southern Ontario today, making for a messy morning commute.

Forecasters predicted a "large shield of rain" in advance of the system they said would push into southwestern Ontario overnight and move into the Niagara and Toronto regions this morning.

Rainfall amounts of 45 to 55 millimetres are expected, with winds gusting up to 70 kilometres an hour, with the storm hitting harder closer to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.