An average of 11 pedestrians lost their lives each year between 2005 and 2010 in Vancouver. Given their vulnerability, pedestrians represent about 53% of the total collision fatalities and, tragically, most incidents were preventable.
An analysis shows the actions of the pedestrians as the primary causal factor in approximately 50% of the incidents* and it is imperative that pedestrians realize their actions may be putting them at risk.
The Traffic Section of the Vancouver Police Department is embarking on a pedestrian safety awareness campaign with the primary goal of reducing the number of pedestrians involved in collisions.
* 2005 to 2009 police reported incidents
Vancouver Police Pedestrian Safety Video
What Can You Do to Keep Pedestrians Out of Harm's Way?
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
Breakdown of Recent Number of Fatalities in Vancouver
Vancouver Collision Fatalities by Road Users Groups
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