A group made up of police, ICBC transit officers and volunteers hopped on the Canada Line and buses on people’s way home from work Tuesday to educate them about pedestrian safety.
They were part of this year’s Pedestrian Awareness Campaign for fall and winter, when most pedestrian-related crashes usually happen.
“In the past, we tried to educate people at transit stations, but the message would be lost as many were in a hurry to catch the next train or bus,” said Dennis Hwang, media liaison officer at Richmond RCMP.
“This year, we hope to secure a ‘captive’ audience.”
More than 20 officers and volunteers got on a bus or train from Brighouse station, talking to people about road safety, handing out safety reflectors and manuals in English and Chinese.
Some officers helped people put the reflectors on their jackets. Smiles were on passengers’ faces when they received the gifts.
“This (reflector) is very helpful, I got one for my daughter too,” said a passenger.
“Halloween is coming and the road can be very dark at night. The officers are so nice to do this. I really appreciate it.”
There were also officers and volunteers handing out information at stations, and police keeping an eye out for violations at intersections by both pedestrians and drivers.
“Historically, the fall months are the most dangerous times for pedestrian collisions, and Richmond has had its share of serious injuries and fatalities,” said Hwang.
He said around 43 per cent of all crashes that injure pedestrians happen between October and January, as visibility and conditions get worse.
An average of 59 pedestrians are killed and 2,500 injured in B.C. every year.
“Distracted driving and a failure to yield the right-of-way are the top contributing factors for drivers getting into a crash that injures or kills a pedestrian in B.C.,” said Hwang.
