Making sure that people crossing the street can do so safely is this month’s focus for the Athabasca/Boyle RCMP Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU).
Each month during the year, RCMP traffic unit across Alberta carry out extra education and enforcement of specific areas of concern and for November that focus is on pedestrian safety.
“Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the safety of pedestrians should be everyone’s concern,” said the commander of the Athabasca/Boyle RCMP ITU Sgt. Sonny Kim.
“However, for this month we are going to be conducting more enforcement as well as further education efforts to bring more awareness to the public regarding pedestrian safety.”
Kim added the issue has been brought further into the light by recent incidents in the larger cities, but that doesn’t mean there are no concern in Athabasca and Boyle.
“With busy highways running through all the communities in our area, there have been relatively few pedestrians hit,” he said.
“But it can still happen so it’s important for both drivers and pedestrians to consider some of the principles for staying safe.”
For drivers, always staying alert when coming to intersections or marked crosswalks is one easy suggestion. However, especially in Athabasca Kim noted, drivers need to be aware if cars are slowing down in the lane next to them.
“You have to pay attention to that as the car next to you might be stopping for someone crossing the road,” he said.
“Even if someone is jaywalking, which is illegal, drivers need to be cautious because some people are going to do it anyway.”
Slowing down when in areas where they could be a lot of pedestrians is also a good safety tip, since a ticket for failing to yield to a pedestrian is stiff – $575 plus four demerit points on your licence.
For pedestrians, sticking to crossing streets at the corner and in marked crosswalks will certainly help keep you safe, explained Kim, as will obeying the walk signal at a traffic light.
“Also, make eye contact with the driver of the vehicle that is approaching,” he said.
“By doing that, it ensures that they see you. Don’t assume that drivers will spot you and always pay attention.”
That includes taking off headphones and putting away electronic devices when crossing the street so that you can watch for cars that may not stop.
As most collisions with pedestrians occur in conditions where there is either low light or at dawn and dusk – where the sun is at a angle that can blind drivers – it is especially important for everyone to be extra cautious.
“Pedestrians can do other things like wear bright and reflective clothing and carry a flashlight at night so drivers can see them,” Kim stated.
“However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the driver to be safety conscious as they are the one in control of a heavy vehicle.”
Between 2008 and 2012 in Alberta, an average of 40 pedestrians were killed in collisions with a vehicle and more than 1,180 pedestrians were injured after being hit.
Other precautions people should take include walking, not running, when crossing a street as driver will have more time to see you crossing; being alert as a driver around playgrounds and schools as children tend to dart out unexpectedly; and, looking both ways when crossing alleys or driveway as drivers may not anticipate someone crossing.
Kim added traffic units will be out in various locations throughout the region in November to make sure not only drivers are obeying the law when it comes to keeping pedestrians safe, but also helping to educate the public on how, as a pedestrian, they can remain safe while crossing the street.
