(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

PEDESTRIAN & DRIVER SAFETY

Pedestrian and driver awareness brought into focus following series of vehicle incidents

Nov 20, 2019 | 4:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — After two separate incidents involving pedestrians struck by vehicles within a week span in Kamloops, RCMP are urging people to be extra cautious.

“It happens in both daylight and nighttime,” says Kamloops RCMP’s Cpl. Jodi Shelkie. “And that’s why awareness on both the parts of pedestrians and drivers has to be 24 hours a day.”

Last week, 54-year-old Lucy Phua lost her life when she was struck by a vehicle, while crossing the street near the university. Four days later, a 13-year-old boy was hit by a car in a downtown Kamloops crosswalk.

Police were able to locate the suspect vehicle involved in that incident today (Nov. 20).

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Now, police are reminding drivers and pedestrians alike to make sure they’re paying attention.

“As you’re coming to an intersection (when driving), whether you have the right of way or not, just let your eyes drift from each of the four corners of the intersection,” Shelkie says, “to see if there are pedestrians stopped, to see if there is anybody thinking about crossing the road, or if anybody is in the middle of a crosswalk.”

(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

Anyone driving a vehicle has a responsibility to make sure they’re doing so in the safest way possible. However, ICBC Road Safety Coordinator Ingrid Brakop says it’s also recommended that anyone out walking or bicycling, especially at night, wears bright or reflective clothing.

“I’m sure everybody is noticing, you may have a lack of energy, there’s a lack of light, everybody of course likes to wear black jackets, and as a driver it is sometimes very difficult to see individuals crossing the street,” says Brakop, “So of course, if you’re a pedestrian, make sure that you use the pedestrian crosswalk. Light it up, wear reflective clothing.” (Reflectors can be picked up at the ICBC Claims Office in Kamloops)

(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

Along with causing trauma to the person who was struck and their loved ones, police stress that if you flee the scene after hitting someone, it can lead to a lengthy investigative process.

“It can be very unforgiving in the court system if you’ve left the scene of an accident — especially if you’ve injured somebody,” explains Shelkie. “So it’s just really in a person’s best interest. You’ve made a mistake, you need to stay and deal with it.”

However, despite the best prevention efforts, Shelkie notes that accidents can still happen.

“Everybody, every driver has had a close call where they go ‘Oh my gosh that was so close, I could have hit that person, or that dog, or that cyclist’. And if it does happen, heaven forbid, then you just need to stay on scene and be there when the police arrive.”