Skip to content

Letter: Pedestrians put themselves at risk when they don't obey laws

"I saw the tragedy of this while working as a nurse in emergency departments."
redhandcrosswalk
Burnaby pedestrians who fail to obey the red hand are putting themselves at huge risk, this writer says.

Editor:

Thank you for the information regarding B.C.'s "slow down, move over" law that requires motorists to "to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped alongside the road that have flashing red, blue or yellow lights. This includes maintenance workers, utility workers, police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement personnel, land surveyors, animal control workers, garbage collectors and other roadside workers."   

Motorists obeying this law prevent injuries and deaths that have occurred when persons such as those noted in the previous sentence, as well as citizens who have stopped to help or persons who might have been involved in an accident at the site, thus police, fire, ambulance and tow truck personnel being at the site

It is very concerning to me that so many people do not abide by Section 132 of the Motor Vehicle Act:

(3) When the word "wait," the words "don't walk" or an outline of a raised hand are exhibited at an intersection or at a place other than an intersection by a pedestrian traffic control signal,

 (a) a pedestrian must not enter the roadway

When people step into a crosswalk when the word "wait," the words "don't walk" or the red hand is up, they put themselves at risk of being hit by a motor vehicle making a turn. 

I have seen people pushing baby buggies and strollers in front of them as they hurry into the crosswalk when the red hand is up. Pedestrians are at great risk when hit by a motor vehicle.  I saw the tragedy of this while working as a nurse in emergency departments. 

Taking the time to abide by laws intended to optimize safety is time well spent and prevents possible injuries and deaths.

Diane Gillis

📢 SOUND OFF: Do you think Burnaby pedestrians and drivers are behaving in safe ways? What challenges do you see on the city's streets and in crosswalks? How can we work towards safer streets? Share your thoughts — send us a letter.