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.
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.
I was given a ticket for not stopping for pedestrians at a crosswalk. It was a red light in front of me, with cars lined up behind a crosswalk about 10meters from the light on the right lane. I was on the left lane, slowing down before the red with only one car in front of me stopped at the light.
As I was passing the crosswalk, I slowed to make sure there were no pedestrians, and decided to pass.
The case of Chen v Beltran involves 11 year old Allan Chen who was riding his skateboard on a steep sidewalk beside 10th Street in New Westminster. He could not stop on reaching the intersection with Royal Avenue 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.
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.
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. “Pedestrians and bicyclists are among the most vulnerable of road users,” says Ward Vanlaar, TIRF researcher and lead author of the Road Safety Monitor series.
"This Case Study Compendium contains a collection of brief, original case studies developed by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.
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.
I was given a ticket for not stopping for pedestrians at a crosswalk. It was a red light in front of me, with cars lined up behind a crosswalk about 10meters from the light on the right lane. I was on the left lane, slowing down before the red with only one car in front of me stopped at the light.
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. “Pedestrians and bicyclists are among the most vulnerable of road users,” says Ward Vanlaar, TIRF researcher and lead author of the Road Safety Monitor series.
