Pedestrian casualties are preventable.
This is the message Richmond RCMP, the City of Richmond, Richmond Fire-Rescue and ICBC wanted to spread to the public when they kicked off their Fall Pedestrian Safety Campaign Wednesday morning at the Lansdowne Canada Line Station.
About a dozen volunteers wearing bright yellow reflective vests handed out reflective armbands and pamphlets with reminders like: remove your headphones and dont use your cell phone or other electronics while walking; always make eye contact with drivers before crossing the road; and walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
Richmond RCMP Cpl. Sherrdean Turley said as daylight hours decrease, pedestrian collisions are increasing. A 59-year old Richmond resident was struck and killed on No. 3 road after dusk earlier this month, which is part of a string of incidents that have occurred in recent years.
She said the campaign wasnt in direct response to the fatality, although it strengthens the need for more public awareness.
Its really unfortunate even driving here from our office this morning I had people running across the street both in front of me and behind me, said Turley. Theres a lot of people who dont take the time to make it to the corner of the street to use the crosswalks, and that, of course, increases the likelihood they will get hit. Its also harder for drivers to see pedestrians because of the glare on the roadway and the increased rain. So, hopefully, well be able to speak to them here today and save some lives.
Jill Blacklock, road safety manager at ICBC, said its in pedestrians best interest to take precautions.
When youre involved in a crash with a car, youre the one thats going to be injured.
Blacklock said speaking to people who have been involved in incidents, pedestrians often respond, Im sure they saw me, it looked like the driver was slowing down, while motorists say, I didnt see them.
She added that accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists are assessed on their own and its not always the driver that is at fault.
There are lots of times, unfortunately, that the pedestrian is 100 per-cent responsible for the crash.
