Whether You’re Walking or Driving Safety is Up to All of Us
Whether Your Walking or Driving Safety is Up to All of Us
Drive through intersections with care
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Focus on the road. Always leave your phone or any other hand-held electronic device alone while you’re driving.
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Be ready to yield to pedestrians – especially when turning in intersections and near transit stops.
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Look twice for pedestrians crossing the road particularly when visibility is poor.
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Give yourself extra time and space to stop in case a pedestrian suddenly crosses the street; expect the unexpected.
https://youtu.be/LdgtG3L75CE
Pedestrian safety
When drivers fail to yield, it’s pedestrians who pay the price. Busy intersections and shorter days mean that both pedestrians and drivers need to be extra careful during fall and winter.
As the weather changes and daylight hours decrease, pedestrians become increasingly vulnerable. Crashes involving pedestrians rise during the fall and winter, and 69 percent of these crashes occur at intersections. Whether it’s yielding the right of way or taking extra care to be seen, sharing our roads safely is everyone’s responsibility.
Be a safe pedestrian
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Always make eye contact with drivers and never assume that a driver has seen you.
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Remove your headphones and leave your phone alone while crossing the road.
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Be careful at intersections and watch for drivers turning left or right through the crosswalk. Drivers may be focused on oncoming traffic instead of scanning for you.
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Always cross at designated crosswalks. Follow pedestrian signs and traffic signals and never cross once the signal has turned yellow or red.
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Wear reflective clothing or gear and flashlights to make it easier for drivers to see you in wet weather, at dusk and at night.
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On rural roads without sidewalks, make yourself visible and always walk facing traffic so you can see oncoming drivers.
Look, Listen and Be Seen
LOOK, LISTEN AND BE SEEN
ICBC is launching a new education campaign across the province to help keep pedestrians safe this fall and winter when crashes involving pedestrians increase significantly in B.C.
On average, 76 per cent more pedestrians are injured in crashes from November to January every year when conditions are dark and weather is poor compared to June to August in B.C.*
ICBC is partnering with TransLink, Transit Police and BC Transit with new advertising featured on SkyTrains and in buses across B.C. to reach pedestrians on transit.
ICBC and community policing volunteers throughout B.C. will also be handing out pedestrian safety reflectors and tips at events throughout the province to help educate pedestrians about the importance of being visible to drivers in dark, fall conditions.
In a new ICBC survey, 76 per cent of drivers and 83 per cent of pedestrians stated they’re concerned about hitting a pedestrian or being hit by a driver in an intersection. Yet, on average, 75 per cent of crashes with pedestrians still occur at intersections in B.C.
ICBC Shift into Winter Safety Driver
As a member of the Alliance, Mainroad South Island Contracting encourages everyone to shift into winter driving mode and prepare for the upcoming season. Don’t wait until snow arrives. Whether you’re driving across town, or across the province, it’s important that you and your vehicle are prepared for winter conditions.
Be part of the solution. A few simple steps could make a difference to your safety:
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Road and weather conditions change quickly in winter and so should your driving. Even the most confident drivers are at risk on slippery roads. Slow down to a safe driving speed.
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Install four matched winter tires. Tires marked with a 3 peak mountain/ snowflake symbol on the sidewall offer the best traction on snow and ice and in severe winter conditions.
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Give your vehicle a winter check-up: Make sure the battery, brakes, lights, fuses, cooling/heating systems, exhaust/electrical systems, belts and hoses are in top shape.
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Before each trip, do a ‘circle check’ (walk around your vehicle to inspect its condition and possible reversing hazards).
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Review your vehicle’s maintenance record. Take it in for repair if needed and report any concerns to your supervisor.
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Keep your gas tank full to avoid condensation which can cause fuel lines to freeze.
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Equip your work vehicle with a Winter Survival Kit. Recommended items include: an approved high-visibility vest, non-perishable food, blankets, first aid supplies, windshield scraper, snow brush, spare tire, wheel wrench & jack, shovel & traction mat, sand or kitty litter, fuel line antifreeze, flares & matches or a lighter, tire chains & gloves, flashlight & extra batteries, battery jumper cables, sandbags for extra weight, extra clothing & footwear. Do it now, before you’re caught off guard.