Safety tips for driving and pedestrians as the sun sets earlier

According to ICBC, almost half of all vehicle collisions involving pedestrians happen in just four months of the year, from October to January. And, of all the crashes that involve pedestrians, 80 per cent of those take place in intersections.

As we enter these next few months when collisions are more likely to occur, let’s all do our part – whether we’re driving or walking – to prevent injuries and deaths.

Read the following tips below for drivers and pedestrians, as per the government of B.C. website.

Drivers

• Stay alert. Don’t be distracted by activities that take your mind off driving or your eyes off the road. Watch carefully for pedestrians when approaching any crosswalk or intersection.
• Ensure all pedestrians have cleared the road before proceeding.
• Take special care to watch for pedestrians or other vulnerable road users when making a left-hand turn.
• Watch especially carefully for the elderly or mobility-challenged. Recognize it may take them longer than average to complete a safe crossing.
• Use your turn signals in advance of making turns to signal your intentions to pedestrians and other drivers.

Pedestrians

• Stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings, especially when crossing a street.
• Enhance your visibility, especially after dark. Attach a light or a reflective strip to your clothing, or wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing.
• You should assume other road users can’t see you, try to make eye contact with drivers.
• Watch out for drivers turning left or right into an intersection.
• Don’t assume a crosswalk or a green light at an intersection makes you safe. Do what you can to keep yourself out of harms way if a driver is distracted or chooses to break the law by not stopping for you.