Dear Editor:
Hey, distracted, dark pedestrians. Get lit up like a Christmas tree, then you’ll be here to enjoy some holiday glee.
According to ICBC (go to ICBC.com and search “quick statistics” then click on page 11 of the PDF) there are on average 1,600 pedestrians injured and 35 killed in the Lower Mainland each year.
It is always sad to hear that it’s happened again when another pedestrian is injured or killed.
My heart goes out to the pedestrian, the drivers and the families.
These mostly preventable accidents will forever change the lives of each and everyone involved.
Texting/ talking (on a smartphone) while walking is a quick way to the emergency room. There are lessons to be learned here and a word to the wise is sufficient.
More than 50 per cent of the overall incidents occur during the daylight hours, but most of the serious injuries and fatalities occur on rainy nights when drivers don’t see the pedestrian in time to slow down.
So here are some simple, cheap, easy actions that you can do to keep safe when walking at night:
1. Put the phone away and take the earbuds out. (Drivers too!) Not answering that missed call or text may save your life.
2. Don’t wear dark clothes. The ninja or hoodie look is dangerous on a dark rainy night.
3. Against the glare of oncoming headlights and water spray, assume drivers can’t see you. Because they can’t. (It follows then that drivers need to slow down and be especially careful.)
4. Carry a white plastic shopping bag or a folded section of newspaper as a cheap, easy solution.
5. Wear a reflective arm band and/or carry a small LED flashlight – the best investments you will ever make.
Get home safely.
Bruce Lindsay
North Vancouver
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