New Westminster police are partnering with ICBC for a campaign aimed at getting pedestrians to protect themselves.
The "Pedestrians: Protect Yourself" campaign kicked off this week, and with the winter months fast approaching ICBC hopes to educate pedestrians on the role they can play in road safety.
Between November and January, an average of 76 more pedestrians are injured in crashes because of poor weather and darker days, according to the insurance corporation.
With daylight savings time coming to an end on Nov. 2, volunteers from ICBC and the police department will be out on the streets passing out reflectors and tips to pedestrians. Tips for pedestrians include always make eye contact with drivers and never assume they see you; focus your attention on what's happening around you (this means looking up from your phone and taking your headphones out); wear reflective clothing or use reflective gear to make yourself more visible to drivers; and be extra careful at crosswalks - watch for cars turning, always cross at designated areas, and never cross once the signal has turned yellow or red.
"The impending switch from daylight savings time, shorter days and more severe weather all increase the need for drivers to concentrate on the road and watch for pedestrians and cyclists," Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said in a media release. "Keep in mind that distraction is the second leading cause of traffic fatalities and a top contributing factor in vehicle-pedestrian collisions. It is more important than ever to pay attention to the road and to others on the road."
In the Lower Mainland, about 33 pedestrians are killed each year, which accounts for about 56 per cent of all pedestrian fatalities in B.C. caused by crashes, according to statistics provided by ICBC.
An additional 2,400 pedestrians are injured in crashes across the province each year.
