Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O'Brien (left) and his team handing out reflective feathers designed to help pedestrians be more visible during poor fall and winter weather. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

BE SEEN

Pedestrians need to be seen to be safe

Oct 20, 2021 | 4:29 PM

NANAIMO — With days getting shorter and more rain across the region, local organizations are putting a renewed focus on pedestrian safety.

The City of Nanaimo, RCMP and ICBC teamed up at the intersection of Bastion St. and Commercial St. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, handing out reflective feathers which can be attached to clothing and make them more visible during the winter months.

ICBC Road Safety and Community Coordinator Caroline Robinson said as more people switch to greener options for transportation, it’s important to remember we all share the road.

“Whether you’re a pedestrian, or a cyclist, or a motorcyclist, all sorts of things, we are sharing the road with vehicles as well so we just want to make sure we are doing that safely.”

In addition to an outside layer of clothes, the reflectors are designed to go on a dog’s collar, a bike, or a stroller.

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Barbara Thomas, City assistant manager of transportation, was one of the volunteers handing out reflective feathers. She said being visible on the road is especially important at this time of the year.

“We have dark and stormy nights. Our winters are cold and foggy and rainy and so everything a pedestrian can do to help them make them safer, that’s what we are hoping for.”

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said pedestrians can’t assume they’re invincible when at a crosswalk.

“You do not have divine intervention. This time of year there is very little light, there’s often rain that goes for five or ten days, you’ve gotta be sure you have reflective materials on.”

He said pedestrians need to make sure to make eye contact with the driver to be sure they are aware of them.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien hands out reflective feathers to pedestrians. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

According to the ICBC, there were 220 incidents related to pedestrian versus vehicle collisions, which resulted in 190 pedestrian injuries and three deaths on Vancouver Island in 2020.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow