ICBC is encouraging people to give the wave. I believe that there is another far more important topic that needs to be addressed to the public "Rights of Pedestrians crossing at unmarked intersections".
Right or wrong, the pedestrian is always the loser in a collision with a motor vehicle. Nowhere in British Columbia is that more apparent than in Vancouver. So far this year, the pedestrian death count has already exceeded that of the entire year of 2010.
Engineers are trying to make vehicles safer for pedestrians. This issue of the Status Report examines vehicle technologies that help drivers avoid hitting pedestrians and vehicle designs that reduce injuries from impacts. It also reports on an initiative in the US to make quiet hybrid and electric vehicles noisier so that pedestrians can hear them coming.
This case involves a bit of clowning around by a driver who was certainly old enough to know better. Mr. Petrovic was approaching his friend, Mr. Stevanovic, who was standing in the roadway waiting to be picked up. For whatever reason, Mr. Petrovic decided to approach Mr. Stevanovic closely without slowing down and stop at the last instant. No surprisingly, Mr. Petrovic struck Mr. Stevanovic with his vehicle causing significant injury.
This video is an entry in ICBC's 180 Short Film contest described as "Speed limits are set up for a reason. They allow you to see more and, more importantly allow time for you to assess and focus on the road. Its a lot easier to react to road activity when your moving slower."
In this case young Allan Chen was riding his skateboard on a steep sidewalk. He could not stop on reaching the intersection and rode into the path of traffic where he was struck by a car driven by Juan Beltran. Chen sustained injuries and took legal action via his guardian in an attempt recover damages for them.
Recognizing that many European programs for traffic safety could be successfully imported into the US, the Federal Highway Administration has sponsored a scanning study of five European countries to identify and assess effective approaches to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and mobility.
For years I've thought about sending this question to you. This is regarding the issue of "walk on left, ride on right". I have always understood that on any road/path with no sidewalk that is shared by pedestrians and vehicles (including bicycles), the pedestrians should keep to the left facing traffic, and the vehicles keep to the right.
For a few months now I have been trying to locate specific information on the rules of the road pertaining to back lanes and alleyways. Simply trying to get a concrete source on the speed limit of back lanes, especially those running along school zones, has been incredibly difficult.
The Traffic Injury Research Foundation reports that Canadians are not overly concerned about the behaviours and safety of pedestrians and bicyclists according to a public opinion poll. However, crash data and self-reported behaviour illustrate that concern is still warranted.
Right or wrong, the pedestrian is always the loser in a collision with a motor vehicle. Nowhere in British Columbia is that more apparent than in Vancouver. So far this year, the pedestrian death count has already exceeded that of the entire year of 2010.
