Yield to all pedestrians — especially at intersections.
Coquitlam RCMP is relaying this message once more as pedestrian safety awareness month approaches for October.
A number of incidents have been reported in the last two months involving pedestrians, including one at a crosswalk that caught the eye of the public on Sept. 8.
In a video provided to the Tri-City News, a dog walker and their pup were nearly hit while safely crossing the intersection of Cape Horn Avenue and Dawes Hill Road.
A driver speeding up tried to swerve around a vehicle that came to a complete stop at the crosswalk and almost collided with the pedestrian, but fortunately slammed their brakes just in time.
We all have a part to play in improving pedestrian safety,
said Const. Deanna Law in a news release today (Sept. 28).
We are all pedestrians from time to time, so it’s important to pay attention to what is going on around us.
ICBC's latest stats reveal that an average of 57 people die each year resulting from motor vehicle incidents involving pedestrians. More than 2,600 are injured across the province.
Of those numbers, 78 per cent take place at intersections and many are the result of distracted driving and failing to yield for pedestrians.
The corporation explains weather can also be a factor this time of year as fall settles in and the days become shorter.
Coquitlam Mounties have issued the following tips to avoid pedestrian collisions.
PEDESTRIANS
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Do not assume a driver has seen you.
- Dress to be seen in bright or reflective clothing especially at night and on dark/overcast days.
- Use a crosswalk, a majority of the fatal pedestrian collisions involve jaywalking.
- Walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk so you are further away from traffic.
- If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles.
- Make sure you can hear and see oncoming cars. Remove your headphones and your hood when crossing the street.
- Always look for signs that a vehicle is about to move (rear lights, exhaust smoke, sound of motor, wheels turning).
DRIVERS
- Focus on the road. Always leave your phone alone while driving.
- Be ready to yield to pedestrians, especially when turning at intersections and near transit stops.
- If a vehicle has stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, it may be yielding for a pedestrian.
- Expect the unexpected, even mid-block, as pedestrians may be jaywalking.
- Slow down. Give yourself more time to react to the unexpected, like a pedestrian that suddenly appears in front of you.
For more information, you're encouraged to visit ICBC's website.
