The Vancouver Police and ICBC are encouraging both drivers and pedestrians to be wary of pedestrian safety this season, as longer nights and rainy weather cause accidents to increase by 75% between November and January.
Their campaign began earlier this fall, however, Tuesday night saw numerous reports of crashes involving pedestrians. The popular Twitter account ScanBC, B.C.’s online radio scanning community, tweeted a total of 17 reports across Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island last night.
VPD Media Relations Office Randy Fincham confirms the inclement weather and dark nights have caused an increase in accidents.
“Over the past 24 hours, our officers have responded to 40 collisions, nine of those involving pedestrians and two involving cyclists. In addition, our officers do not respond to all collisions, only those involving injuries or significant property damage,” Fincham reports.
Keeping our roads safe is the responsibility of everyone involved, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
“Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to make eye contact with drivers, wear bright colours and be cautious of their surroundings, before venturing into the street,” he added.
ICBC is urging drivers to stay off electronic devices while behind the wheel and drive with caution.
With more rain expected this evening, including a heavy rainfall warning for much of Metro Vancouver, we hope our Twitter feed doesn’t look like this again:
#Richmond crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Granville Ave & Minoru Blvd
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Vancouver crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 1600 Bayshore Drive. — ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Vancouver crews are on scene with a School Bus that has hit a female in a wheelchair a W 70th Ave & Cartier St — ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Duncan crews are responding to Ingram St & Boundary Rd for reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Langley crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 20200 Fraser Hwy.
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Vancouver crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Nelson St & Granville St. — ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Surrey #RCMP are on scene with a 14 year old pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 15100 105 Ave — ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Vancouver crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Main St & E 10th Ave
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Burnaby crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a bus at Boundary Rd & Lougheed Hwy.
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Nanaimo crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 560 Milton St — ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Burnaby crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Kingsway & Sperling Ave — ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Vancouver crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Macdonald St & W 16th Ave
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Surrey crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Scott Rd & 72 Ave
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Victoria crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Yates St & Blanshard St — ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Vancouver crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at W 10th Ave & Fir St. — ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Burnaby crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Lougheed Hwy & Production Way
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
#Vancouver crews are on scene with a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Cambie St & W King Edward Ave.
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) November 26, 2014
Featured Image: Rainy night via Shutterstock
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