A surge in pedestrian-involved crashes throughout B.C., together with the Okanagan, has RCMP warning each pedestrians and motorists to be additional cautious.
“We’ve acquired fairly just a few experiences of collisions with pedestrians lately,” mentioned Kelowna RCMP Sgt. Laura Pollock.
This previous Monday night, a girl was struck and killed within the 3600-block of Freeway 97 close to Reid’s Nook in Kelowna.
On Tuesday night time, an individual was struck alongside Harvey Avenue close to the town’s downtown. It’s believed they weren’t critically damage.
Final Friday night, a younger girl was hit in a crosswalk close to the Delta Grand Resort.
In response to the web fundraiser GoFundMe, she sustained a severe traumatic mind harm.
And on Dec.10, the pinnacle coach of the Okanagan Solar Soccer workforce was injured and required surgical procedure after being hit by a automobile whereas in a crosswalk within the Glenmore space.
“This may very well be because of the climate, ” mentioned Pollock. “We’ve seen that change. We’ve fog, rain, snow coming our approach and these collisions appear to be taking place in the dead of night, so throughout these darkness instances the place visibility is extra restricted.”
The Insurance coverage Company of British Columbia (ICBC) confirmed that 42 per cent of all accidents involving pedestrians within the province occur between October and January with December being significantly unhealthy.
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“We see about 338 crashes involving pedestrians simply within the month of December alone,” mentioned Karen Klein, ICBC’s security coordinator.
The Crown company urges individuals to take steps to keep away from turning into a sufferer, saying being seen is vital.
“It’s actually essential to put on one thing reflective, whether or not it’s hanging a reflector over your jacket, strolling with a flashlight and even utilizing the backlight in your cellphone, ” Klein mentioned. “All these little issues will make you extra seen to drivers.”
ICBC additionally says to all the time watch out at intersections, as 80 per cent of pedestrian-involved crashes occur in and round intersections.
It added to all the time use crosswalks and never jaywalk, make eye contact with drivers and take away headphones.
And there’s one different tip police say is important.
“Don’t textual content and stroll,” mentioned Pollock. “Texting and strolling and never taking note of your environment can even play an element.”
Drivers are additionally being urged to decelerate and scan the highway fastidiously to extend everybody’s security.
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