Star editor rethinks using word “accident”
September 7, 2010
After addressing a gathering of police communications officers, The Toronto Star’s Kathy English says she’s thinking hard about the ongoing campaign to have media avoid using the word “accident” when describing traffic collisions. She writes that she’d never considered the issue until she was asked to stop using the word after speaking to the police officers.
It’s a cause a variety of injury prevention advocates have argued over the years, with some health units even launching extensive campaigns to convince their local media and the public to stop using the word.
Ms. English, the Star’s public editor, notes that Toronto Staff Sgt. Tim Burrows argues, “a crash never happens without apparent cause or chance.” She adds that others have argued this issue in the Star recently as well, including Wheels columnist Jim Kenzie, a long-time SMARTRISK supporter, and columnist Lorraine Sommerfeld.
Ms. English invited readers to let her know what they think, adding that she’ll share their thoughts with the Star’s style committee. Read the full article, published on Saturday, Sept. 4.
