Drivers and pedestrians need to pay attention to the road: ICBC

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Put your phone down and pay attention, that’s the advice to both drivers and pedestrians as we tend to see a spike in crashes at this time of year.

Poor weather conditions, the fact it’s getting darker a lot earlier and a lack of eye contact are also contributing factors says Niela Milanio with BCAA.

She says you should be driving for the road conditions and not necessarily the speed limit. As for pedestrians and cyclists, she suggests making sure the driver sees you before crossing any street.

“Especially in fall and winter weather conditions when visibility is difficult — this is all the more [reason] that you want to be aware of your surroundings and not take for granted the other person, driver or pedestrian, is going to see you ahead of time.”

She explains it’s also as simple as making sure you look both ways. “We’ve been told to do this since we were kids and it still stays the same as adults.”

According to ICBC, on average across the Lower Mainland about 400 pedestrians are injured in crashes during November and December, compared to 200 in July and August. Meanwhile, on average across the province, 550 pedestrians are injured in November and December compared to 300 in the summer months.

ICBC TIPS

For pedestrians:

• Dress to be seen. Wear reflective gear to make it easier for drivers to see you. Reflective gear is relatively inexpensive and available at most sporting goods stores. It’s especially important in poor weather and in low light or dark conditions when drivers may not see you.
• Always make eye contact with drivers. Never assume that a driver has seen you.
• Before stepping off the curb, look left and right for oncoming vehicles. Then look left and right again for vehicles that may be turning onto the roadway from beside or behind you. Make sure that vehicles in all lanes are fully stopped before crossing.
• Focus your full attention on what’s happening around you. Drivers may not always stop or obey traffic signals. Remove your headphones and never talk, text or use electronic devices in an intersection or while crossing.
• Be extra cautious at intersections. Watch for vehicles turning left or right through the crosswalk. Drivers attention may be focused on oncoming traffic so they may not be looking for or see pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Always cross at designated crosswalks – never mid-block. Follow pedestrian signs and traffic signals and never cross once the signal has turned yellow or red.
• When walking on a road without a sidewalk, walk facing traffic so that you can see oncoming vehicles. Make sure you’re visible to drivers by wearing reflective gear or using a flashlight.

For drivers:

• Always be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists – especially in dark, wet weather when visibility is limited, at intersections and near transit stops where pedestrians will be coming and going and may not use crosswalks.
• When turning at an intersection, scan the crosswalk to make sure there are no pedestrians crossing.
• Many cyclists are still on our roads during the fall and winter months. Before you or one of your passengers open a vehicle door, check for oncoming cyclists.