Darker days are here again and police are urging pedestrians to take care.
Burnaby RCMP top brass were out Tuesday morning giving reflectors to pedestrians at Metrotown SkyTrain station as part of a pedestrian safety campaign in partnership with Transit Police and ICBC.
Chief Supt. Dave Critchley and Transit Police Chief Neil Dubord were joined by officers from both departments to remind pedestrians of the importance of safety during the winter months. The event was part of a winter-long campaign run by ICBC aimed at pedestrian safety. Reflectors will be handed out at various events in Burnaby, and police are urging people to share them with family and friends.
Pedestrian injuries increase by 76 per cent from November to January because of poor weather and shorter days, according to ICBC.
"(Monday) night, during a terrible rain storm, we had a pedestrian-related accident and a second accident involving a cyclist in Burnaby. We're urging the public to look, listen and be seen and especially to wear these reflectors we handed out today," Critchley said in a media release.
In the Lower Mainland, about 33 pedestrians are killed and 1,700 are injured in vehicle crashes each year.
Some ways pedestrians can protect themselves during the winter months is by ensuring they are visible, either by wearing or carrying reflective items so drivers can see them in all weather conditions.
"We each have a role to play in reducing pedestrian-involved motor vehicle accidents. Drivers please slow down and take extra caution when approaching an intersection and watch for pedestrians," Dubord said the release.
Other tips for pedestrians:
* Be cautious at transit stops. Always cross at designated crosswalks - not mid-block. Avoid running for the bus and taking shortcuts.
* Look. Always make eye contact with drivers. Never assume that a driver has seen you.
* Listen. Focus your full attention on what's happening around you. Remove your headphones and never talk, text or use electronic devices in an intersection or while crossing.
* Be seen. Wear reflective clothing or use reflective gear to make it easier for drivers to see you.
