Posted on 2015 Apr 3rd
CTV Vancouver
Published Tuesday, October 21, 2014 3:58PM PDT
Last Updated Tuesday, October 21, 2014 7:52PM PDT
A new road safety campaign launched by ICBC aims to curb the number of pedestrian-involved crashes as less daylight and more rain combine to make B.C. roads more dangerous.
The Crown Corporation says on average, 76 per cent more pedestrians are hurt in crashes between November to January compared to spring and summer months.
The new campaign features billboards on SkyTrain and buses across the province that encourage people to “be a safe pedestrian.”
A Vancouver police officer hands out a brochure on pedestrian safety and a personal reflector as part of a new ICBC campaign to curb fall and winter accidents. Oct. 21, 2014. (CTV)
ICBC has partnered with TransLink, Transit Police and BC Transit as well, with officers in Vancouver handing out reflectors to pedestrians to increase their visibility.
Officials say distracted driving, failure to yield the right of way and weather conditions are the top contributing factors for drivers in crashes involving pedestrians.
Drivers are being encouraged to be mindful of yielding to pedestrians, looking twice before turning at intersections and giving pedestrians extra time and space to help prevent accidents.
According to ICBC, 58 pedestrians are killed and 2,400 injured in crashes every year in B.C., on average
See the News Clip:http://bc.ctvnews.ca/icbc-aims-to-curb-pedestrian-injuries-in-fall-winter-with-new-campaign-1.2064719#ixzz3Iz1OelQt
SELINA HANUSE'S DEATH RECALLED AS ICBC LAUNCHES FALL SAFETY CAMPAIGN
CBC News Posted: Oct 21, 2014 5:50 PM PTLast Updated: Oct 21, 2014 8:55 PM PT
SELINA HANUSE HIT AND STRUCK IN CROSSWALK IN 2000; ICBC SAYS WORST TIME OF YEAR FOR PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS
See the News Clip http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/selina-hanuse-s-death-recalled-as-icbc-launches-fall-safety-campaign-1.2808196
Nora Hanuse, who lost her sister Selina 14 years ago when she was struck in a crosswalk, says everyone is in a rush. (CBC)
14 years ago, North of 60 actor Selina Hanuse was struck and killed while crossing Nanaimo and E 24 Avenue in a crosswalk.
The driver raced through a yellow light on a cold and wet day in January. The 17-year-old was about to start college.
It's a scene that plays itself out far too often every fall says the auto insurer.
On average,ICBCsays 76 per cent more pedestrians are injured in crashes from November to January each year when conditions are dark and the weather is poor.
Hanuse'ssister Nora says Selina was headed to the SkyTrain to deliver a Christmas present to a friend when she was struck in the crosswalk.
"32 tonnes of metal hit my sister...made her fly more than, I think it was about, 100 feet. She was so mangled that they wouldn't let us view her body. They verified her with a picture and her dental work."
Even after all these years, recalling it brings Nora Hanuse to tears. She says her message to other drivers at this time of year is simply, slow down. She says everybody, including pedestrians, are in a rush.
"They just assume cars are going to slow down and they don't slow down. And people get hurt and people die this way."
A pedestrian is rushed to a waiting air ambulance after being struck while crossing the street in Abbotsford Oct 21. (CBC)
On Tuesday, on the same day ICBC was launching its fall safety campaign, an 18-year-old man was struck while crossing the street in Abbotsford and injured seriously enough to be airlifted to hospital.
Although speeding is an issue, the second leading cause of pedestrian fatalities is distraction, says ICBC. Drivers need to be paying full attention to the road, particularly in poor visibility or weather.
ICBCsays its new campaign this year will feature advertising on buses and theSkyTrain,aimed at pedestrians. Volunteers will also be handing out pedestrian safety reflectors throughout the province.
ICBC launches pedestrian safety campaign
October 21, 201411:32 am
ByPaula BakerGlobal News
It could be called ironic that on the same day ICBC launches a new safety campaign, asking pedestrians to be extra vigilant at this time of year, two pedestrian-involved collisions happened.
One accident in Richmondclaimed the life of an elderly manand the other,a teen in Abbotsford needed to be airlifted to hospitalafter being hit by a car.
It’s not surprising to see during this time of year, in particular from November to January, brings an increase of pedestrian injuries. According to ICBC, on average, 76 per cent more pedestrians are injured in crashes when conditions are dark and weather is poor compared to June to August in B.C.
“[It's the] most dangerous time of year for pedestrians on B.C. roads,” says ICBC spokesperson John Dickenson.
“In fact across B.C. about 75 per cent of all crashes involving pedestrians occur at intersections. Distractions, failing to yield and poor weather are the main contributors for these crashes.”
ICBC along with TransLink, Transit Police and BC Transit have started new advertising, which is featured on SkyTrains and in buses across B.C., to reach pedestrians on transit.
In addition to advertising, ICBC and community policing volunteers will be handing out pedestrian safety reflectors and tips at events throughout B.C. Their hope is to educate pedestrians about the importance of being visible to drivers in dark, autumn conditions.
“Nearly one in five people killed in car crashes every year in B.C. are pedestrians and most of these deaths are preventable,” said Metro Vancouver Transit Police Chief Officer Neil Dubord in a statement.
“Drivers can play a key role in preventing these crashes by staying focused on the road and avoiding distractions. As a pedestrian, it’s important to make eye contact with drivers before crossing – don’t assume a driver has seen you.”
Some tips to drivers include:
Be ready to yield to pedestrians
When turning at an intersection, look twice to make sure there are no pedestrians crossing
Give yourself extra time and space to stop in case a pedestrian suddenly crosses the street
For pedestrians, ICBC recommends:
Always make eye contact with drivers and don’t assume they see you
Remove your headphones and never talk, text or use electronic devices in an intersection or while crossing
Wear reflective clothing
Be extra cautious at intersections
According to a new ICBC survey, 76 per cent of drivers and 83 per cent of pedestrians have said they are concerned about hitting a pedestrian or being hit by a driver in an intersection.
