By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Officials in Nanaimo pushing pedestrian safety

Nov 5, 2018 | 4:51 PM

NANAIMO — RCMP and ICBC have made calls for motorists and pedestrians to be more aware as inclement weather settles in on the region.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the switch to daylight saving highlights the importance to heighten their awareness.

“It is significant, because we find that 70 per cent of all collisions with pedestrians occur near intersections.”

O’Brien said a lack of visibility stands out as a top contributor to pedestrians being hit locally.

“That is probably the most dominant factor in most crashes, you have driver inattention and a lack of visibility by pedestrians.”

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He said pedestrians need to make eye contact with nearby motorists, even if they have the right-of-way.

O’Brien said there are several specific intersections in Nanaimo where pedestrian safety is an ongoing issue:

• Waddington at Dufferin Cres.
•  Estevan Rd. behind Terminal Park
• Busy intersections along Bowen Rd.
•  Bruce Ave. at Albion St.
• Hwy. 19/Boundary Ave/Northfield Rd.

O’Brien said their detachment and ICBC personnel will be handing out reflective stickers to pedestrians throughout November.

The RCMP, City of Nanaimo and ICBC are also partnering in a pedestrian safety day on Friday, Nov. 9 on Bowen Rd. at Dufferin Cres. 

ICBC reported an average of 370 crashes each year on Vancouver Island involve pedestrians, with the top contributing factors being driver distraction, drivers failing to yield and weather.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes