RCMP express concern for safety of pedestrians as nights grow longer

Kamloops RCMP members plan to meet with students at schools over the next few weeks and stress the importance of visibility. “As we transition into having less daylight hours, it is important to also transition our visibility,” said Corporal Napier.

RCMP have provided a series of tips for drivers and pedestrians to follow.

Pedestrians:

Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street;
Do not assume a driver has seen you;
Dress to be seen in bright or reflective clothing especially at night and on dark or overcast days;
Use a crosswalk; a majority of the fatal pedestrian collisions involve jaywalking;
Walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk so you are further away from traffic;
If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles;
Make sure you can hear and see oncoming cars;
Remove your headphones and your hood when crossing the street;
Always look for signs that a vehicle is about to move (rear lights, exhaust smoke, sound of motor, wheels turning).

Drivers:

Focus on the road;
Always leave your phone alone while driving;
Be ready to yield to pedestrians, especially when turning at intersections and near transit stops;
If a vehicle has stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, it may be yielding for a pedestrian;
Expect the unexpected, even mid-block, as pedestrians may be jaywalking;
Slow down. Give yourself more time to react to the unexpected, like a pedestrian that suddenly appears in front of you.

Mounties are partnering with ICBC to provide reflective zipper pulls to pedestrians in the community and plan to launch a social media campaign based on road safety messages.

by Dave Barry

RCMP express concern for safety of pedestrians as nights grow longer

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