The Vancouver Police Department has issued warnings to drivers and pedestrians to take extra care this time of year. The warnings come on the news of the 19th pedestrian fatality of 2012. Last week, the VPD released its media fact sheet outlining the alarming statistics. fact-sheet-ped-safety.pdf November and December continue to be extremely dangerous for pedestrians, largely due to the number of dark and rainy days and the visibility problems for drivers. The fact sheet offers tips for both pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
If You’re a Pedestrian:
- make eye contact with approaching drivers and / or cyclists
- use designated crossing points
- obey the traffic signals – only enter the intersection if the pedestrian signal is being displayed and it is safe for you to do so
- don’t presume that drivers see you – wear reflective clothing at night if possible
If You’re a Driver:
- make eye contact with pedestrians
- yield to pedestrians that are on the roadway
- watch for pedestrians at intersections, especially when making left and right turns
- expect the unexpected – a vehicle stopping in a lane beside you may be yielding to a pedestrian crossing the road.
- obey traffic signals
If You’re a Cyclist:
- make eye contact with pedestrians
- yield to pedestrians
- follow all rules of the road – bicycles are vehicles, too
- don’t ride on sidewalks – stay to the right hand side of the roadway or in designated lanes
- have a bicycle bell on you bicycle to warn approaching pedestrians and other road users