City to focus on pedestrian safety
Posted Jul 21, 2011 06:07:46 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will be targeted in a fall campaign to cut down on crashes and deaths in Vancouver. Nine pedestrians have been killed so far this year out of 13 traffic fatalities.
City staff recommend the 2011 Road Safety Campaign include cops handing out educational pamphlets when they see dangerous or questionable behaviour on roads that may not justify a ticket.
Vision Vancouver city councillor Heather Deal says they want to keep a special eye on pedestrians.
“Another recommendation is making the Bicycle Advisory Committee into an Active Transportation Committee that has a very strong sub-committee on pedestrianism because pedestrians need a voice at city hall,” she suggests.
Pedestrians will be asked to play their part, especially when it comes to jaywalking or people walking and using their phones.
“What we don’t have the stats on is how many of those times the pedestrians were not following the signals, were jaywalking,” Deal points out. “Those are the kinds of pieces of information that will help, I think. People realize they shouldn’t jaywalk because there’s a really significant possibility of getting hit if you’re not complying with the rules and regulations of the road. It’s a huge piece of this work,” she insists.
Countdown timers have either been put in or are being installed at the top ten pedestrian collision spots in the city, including Main and Hastings, Broadway and Commercial, and Kingsway and Victoria.
Council is expected to debate the report next Tuesday.
The city is also looking at lowering the speed limit on Hastings Street in the downtown eastside to 30 km/hr. That proposal goes to council later next week.
