LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS1130) – Eight people have been hit in seven separate incidents on Lower Mainland roads last night and this morning.

Four of those accidents happened in Vancouver last night. Another pedestrian was hit in Coquitlam at Brunette Avenue and Schoolhouse Road, while two more were hit in Richmond at Sweden Way and Bridgeport. Another was hit in Langley this morning.

None of the pedestrians’ injuries are life-threatening. None were hit-and-run cases.

We went out to speak with drivers and pedestrians about their thoughts on road safety.

As a driver, Jay says he’s always keeping his eyes on the road, but oftentimes, it’s the pedestrians who are distracted. “You see people walking and looking at their phones, not really paying attention to what’s going on. There are dark nights at this time of year and people do wear dark clothing, so it’s hard to see when it’s rainy.”

We spoke with a truck driver who spends a lot of time on the road; he says pedestrians are typically at fault. “[They're] not looking both ways. They’re not paying attention.”

“Just because the lights says to go, they still have to make sure the driver can see them and a lot of them are still wearing dark-coloured clothes early in the morning, in the rain,” he adds.

“Pedestrians also have the right of way, technically,” argues one person out for a stroll this morning. “You’re not supposed to hit the pedestrian… just let them walk if it’s a dangerous situation.”

But another pedestrian says the onus falls to both parties. “Both the driver and pedestrian need to be able to make sure that they have eye contact with each other. And to make sure they’re following the rules of the road, because the rules applies to the pedestrians as well, it’s not just the motorists.”

In the past few days, several other pedestrians have been hit while crossing dark streets.
    
Police and ICBC are reminding drivers and pedestrians to be alert while on the streets during these dark and rainy nights.