Pedestrian Fatalities Focus of Report
Prince George, B.C. – A new report by the BC Coroners service shows there has been virtually no change in the number of pedestrians who are killed each year in B.C. Between 2008 to 2012 ( the latest year for which stats are available) 55 pedestrians had been struck and killed each year in the Province. That figure is a stark comparison to the fact the number of fatalities among vehicle drivers and their passengers has dropped by more than one third during the same four year period. “Every road crash death is a tragedy,” said Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, “Especially as so many of these incidents are preventable. This year we want to focus on pedestrians because our research shows this is an area in which a great deal of prevention work still needs to be done.”
The BC Coroners Service undertook a detailed analysis of 142 pedestrian deaths that occurred in B.C. from 2010 through 2012. The analysis found nearly half the fatal incidents took place at intersections, and in more than half of those cases the pedestrian either had the right of way or was waiting on a sidewalk or median. In about 70% of those cases where the pedestrian had the right of way in crossing the road, the vehicle driver was making a left turn, which research shows is one of the most complex manoeuvres for a driver to tackle, increasing their chances of not seeing a pedestrian until it is too late to avoid them. BC Coroners’ investigations showed contributing factors in these cases were:
- pedestrians wearing dark clothing which made them difficult to see;
- the driver was distracted or otherwise failed to see the pedestrian in time;
- light conditions were poor
- more than half of those under the age of 60 were found to have been using alcohol or drugs.
In Prince George, three pedestrians died in one week in October. One was struck while crossing First Avenue near Brunswick Street, two others died a few days later when they were struck by a semi that was making a turn at 22nd and Nicholson. The deaths prompted RCMP to issue this safety advisory to the public:
Pedestrians:
– make eye contact with approaching drivers and or/cyclists
– use designated crossing points and be sure all lanes of traffic have stopped before stepping out
– obey traffic signals
– walk on the left hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic closest to you
– wear bright and reflective clothing at night and early morning
– avoid wearing ear phones
– even if you have the right of way, take the extra time to ensure you are safe
Drivers:
– make eye contact with pedestrians
– yield to pedestrians that are on the roadway
– watch for pedestrians at intersections, especially when turning
– expect the unexpected – a vehicle stopping in a lane beside you may be yielding to a pedestrian crossing the road
– obey traffic signals
Cyclists:
– make eye contact with pedestrians
– follow all rules of the road – bicycles are vehicles too
– yield to pedestrians
– don’t ride on sidewalks
– have a bicycle bell on your bicycle to warn approaching pedestrians and other road users
– ensure your bicycle is equipped with a working headlight and tail light. Turn them on before it gets dark and turn them off well after it gets light.
Comments
And what about the infrastructure? Still 40-years later and no side walk for pedestrians to commute from the Hart into town.
This time of year kids are walking in the dark on an unlit highway that doesn’t even have shoulders, street lighting, and soon huge snow banks… its a wonder we haven’t had a tragedy on the Hart Highway yet.
Has there been fewer crashes according to the stats or just fewer deaths? Cars are getting better at protecting occupants could be a factor in the numbers making the stat look better than it actually is. Plus the addition of a seat belt, what has been the change in passenger seat belt use in vehicles over the same period?
While driving home last night in the dark on Giscome Road which is very narrow and where the speed limit is 60 but most do 70, there was a woman jogging. She was wearing dark clothing and no reflective material on at all. There happens to be a couple of street lights out and the only way I saw her was a flash from one of her white runners. If I hadn’t been paying attention for even a second she might not be here today. I thought about turning around and telling her to get something reflective on or she might not be so lucky the next time. As Ron
White says, “you can’t fix stupid”.
What do you mean you wonder why there has not been a tragedy on the Hart highway yet? There have been 5 pedestrian deaths that I can think of and at least double that in pedestrian hits. But it should get back to basics…look both ways before you cross. Dead right does you no good at all.
By this warped logic being offered by some truly pathetic drivers, the pedestrian should pack heat, so every-time they are “almost” hit by a distracted driver, they should be permitted to empty the chamber into the offending vehicle.
As for the jogger wearing no high vis vest? Two points? Yeah right. Google the amount of cyclists and runners who have been ploughed into while wearing all manner of reflective gear. Do the wildlife wear much reflective accoutrements, around here? What then?
I never run along a road as it makes NO difference what you are wearing when such a high percentage of the driving public adopts such a laissez faire attitude towards paying attention, while operating a motor vehicle.
In fact, a person is more likely to be hit by a vehicle in broad daylight on a straight stretch as it is just too easy to be multi-tasking behind the wheel.
Oh how I wish I was perfect like Jimmy!!
Actually, statistics show very clearly that pedestrians are in the most danger at dusk, at intersections, in the winter and on Fridays. Sorry Jimmy. Your research isn’t up to snuff. http://www.icbc.com/road-safety/sharing-road/Pages/pedestrian-infographic.aspx
Repeatedly, on this site and in letters to the Free Press editor, I have brought up the dangers a pedestrian faces when crossing Highway 97 at Austin Road, where I walk frequently. My factual narratives seem to continue to fall on deaf ears. When a pedestrian dies, as I have mentioned before, the media will suddenly pay attention.
Hindsight is 20-20 while foresight is non existent for most people involved in the media.
I agree Honestjoe. That intersection is horrendous. If, you’d like to send me an email at newjillenium@gmail.com I can keep you in the loop on dicussions and updates regarding it.
With a new mayor and new councillors – especially McConnachie (Hart born&raised) maybe we can get proper lighting along a busy highway.
Just don’t travel on a rainy or snowy night on the Hart because you can not see the road. Nechacko Road has lights on every power pole and the University way is well lite up but not the Hart.
I agree oldman1 the Hart needs more lights. The Sandhill is especially bad. Just like a giant black hole through there.
Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2014 @ 10:46 AM by Honestjoe
Repeatedly, on this site and in letters to the Free Press editor, I have brought up the dangers a pedestrian faces when crossing Highway 97 at Austin Road, where I walk frequently. My factual narratives seem to continue to fall on deaf ears. When a pedestrian dies, as I have mentioned before, the media will suddenly pay attention.
Hindsight is 20-20 while foresight is non existent for most people involved in the media.
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I drive through that intersection almost daily and I cringe when I see drivers blowing through at 100 and making right and left hand turns while completely oblivious to anybody walking through that intersection. The number of people running the red lights is pretty astounding too!
Someone should just sit there for a week with a camera and record the nonsense.
Peden hill has no sidewalk along it either for pedestrians, I see a lot of close calls going up towards college heights all summer long. The guy with his bike and 500 saddle bags causes a lot of havoc whenever he pushes it up the hill.
There was one person killed every kilometer from Kelly road right down to Jumbos restaurant over the years. Including Austin road, why people cannot remember this is beyond me
Well, if the stupid pedestrians would quit running into vehicles, it would help.
Three of them where children.
Your point?
Trout: That was a sick statement for you to make IMHO!
Junco: “I agree oldman1 the Hart needs more lights. ”
The City is too busy putting lights up behind Canadian Tire to worry about that.
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