Police are urging drivers and pedestrians to be more careful after four pedestrians and one cyclist were hit in separate incidents all within just over 12 hours last week.
“We need to be vigilant and anticipate others,” Burnaby RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Brett Cunningham said in a news release. “The next time you come to an intersection, as a pedestrian or as a driver, stop and take the time to look around. Notice the pedestrian looking down with their headphones on. Notice the driver stopped at the light on their cellphone. Keep your eyes up and never assume others can see you. This may save a life.”
Nov. 19 timeline:
7 a.m.
A 22-year-old woman biking to work was struck by a four-door sedan. The cyclist sustained injuries to her face and leg and was transported to hospital. The initial investigation has determined the cyclist failed to yield to the vehicle. No charges have been forwarded at this time.
9 a.m.
A 15-year-old boy crossing Willindgon Avenue at Midlawn Drive was hit by a small pickup. The driver, a 51-year-old Burnaby woman, told police her visibility was obstructed by the sun at the time of the collision. The boy was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver has been charged under the Motor Vehicle Act.
7 p.m.
A 20-year-old man walking across a crosswalk at Maywood Street by Cassie Avenue was hit from behind by an SUV. The man was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver, a 39-year-old Vancouver woman, has been charged under the Motor Vehicle Act.
7:15 p.m.
A Burnaby traffic enforcement officer came across a 62-year-old man lying on the road at Royal Oak Avenue and Beresford Street. It was quickly determined the man had been walking across the street when he failed to yield to traffic and was struck by an SUV. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the SUV, a 62-year-old Surrey man, told police he was unable to avoid the pedestrian who unexpectedly stepped right in front of his vehicle. Investigators located open liquor at the scene and determined the pedestrian had been impaired by alcohol. The pedestrian, from the Sunshine Coast, has been charged under both the Liquor Control and Licensing Act and the Motor Vehicle Act.
7:30 p.m.
A 30-year-old Burnaby woman was hit by a van while she was crossing the street at Edmonds Avenue and Kingsway with her husband. The driver took off. Police tracked down a 39-year-old Coquitlam man at his residence, but he denied any involvement in the crash. He has since been charged with several violations under the Motor Vehicle Act. The pedestrian sustained minor injury and was not taken to hospital.
The slew of pedestrian-involved crashes came just two days after a 75-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured when she was hit at the intersection of Central Boulevard and Bonsor Avenue. The woman remains in hospital in serious but stable condition, according to Cunningham.
Tips for pedestrians and drivers:
Pedestrians:
- Wear bright clothing with reflective material that can be seen by drivers
- Always maintain eye contact with the driver approaching you
- Don’t assume you have the right of way and walk in the crosswalk; make sure it is safe
- Don’t wear head phones or wear your hoody up so it affects your senses
- Use established crosswalks at lighted intersections when you can
Drivers:
- Be ready to yield to pedestrians attempting to cross the roadway
- Be focused on driving and put down your cell phone
- Always check twice when making turns and make eye contact with pedestrians before moving forward
- Be proactive in anticipating what other drivers and pedestrians are going to do
- Give yourself extra time to and assume it is going to be slippery
