Pedestrians

One would think that the most likely pedestrian to be struck on our highways would be a child. They are impulsive, may not follow the rules because they don't know them, and have not yet had the experience to fear the outcome of a bad decision.

This case involves a Shaw Cablesystems van driven by Mauricio Batin and a motorized wheelchair driven by Najafholi Nikkhah at the intersection of Queens Avenue and 8th Street in New Westminster. Mr. Batin was driving along Queens Avenue to make a right turn at 8th Steet and Mr. Nikkhah was using the marked crosswalk on 8th Avenue to cross Queens Avenue. Mr. Batin did not see Mr. Nikkhah and a collision resulted.

Here is an interesting document from our friends Down Under at the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC): Understanding Pedestrian Crashes in Victoria. Chances are good that the information presented is equally applicable here in British Columbia.

Technology is a wonderful thing. Those of us whose mobility is restricted have had their capabilities enhanced through the use of motorized wheelchairs. A number of readers have observed that the operators of these scooters seem to drive them wherever they please and are concerned for safety. What rules do their operators have to follow?

While this video is titled "Making a Community Safer for Pedestrians | A Protected Intersection" it should also include cyclists with the pedestrians as it protects them too. Local stakeholders are interviewed about the rationale for picking this intersection and why the changes that have been made work to make it safer.

Sandra Lepitre parked her car at the curb in front of 2871 Aurora Road in North Vancouver and walked to work from there. At lunchtime, Amrinder Singh and Jaskirat Singh Sekhon, who had been working at a nearby construction site, sat on the street in front of Ms. Lepitre's car to eat. While they were there, Ms. Lepitre returned to her car intending to drive off on an errand. She struck both men.

The B.C. Coroner's Service has released a report that summarizes all accidental, traffic-related pedestrian deaths that occurred between January 1, 2012, and November 30, 2021.

This collision between a vehicle and two pedestrians takes place at the intersection of Huntingdon Road and Gladwin Road in Abbotsford. It was dark, raining heavily and occurred in an unlit rural area. Sarbjit Parmar and her two childen were crossing Huntingdon northbound in a marked crosswalk when Ms. Parmar and her son were struck by a vehicle driven by Harold Rink.

If Tenessa Nikirk could undo the moments in her life that caused this collision, I have no doubt that she would. The bad judgment (and driving) that she exhibited on December 20, 2017 in Saanich lead to a collision with 11 year old Leila Bui in a crosswalk leaving the girl with life shattering injuries that she will never recover from. Nikirk has been convicted of dangerous driving causing bodily injury.

I read an article recently about conspicuity for police officers working on the highway. It suggested that the reflective vests and jackets that we use to stand out and be identified by drivers at night were not very effective.