Re: The Perils of Being a Pedestrian in Burnaby
Editor:
I walk a lot and have had many near-accidents with vehicles because of a seeming lack of concern and attention on the part of motorists and cyclists regarding the safety of that most vulnerable traveler of all, the pedestrian.
Being vigilant, making eye contact, wearing bright colors, etc. (the usual recommendations that pedestrians are admonished to practise) do not afford them adequate protection unless the rules of the road are enforced alike for ALL parties: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. In addition to enforcing the rules of the road, the punishment for violations needs to match the offence; too often on the nightly news it is stated that, although a pedestrian was badly injured in a marked crosswalk, the driver of the vehicle that injured them “remained at the scene,” the implication seeming to be that that makes it all right. Even the word “pedestrian” has a generally negative connotation, with the Oxford dictionary defining it as “lacking inspiration or excitement; dull” (in addition to “a person walking,”)
A public awareness campaign reinforcing the rights of pedestrians could be a good first step toward making pedestrians safer. We also need stricter enforcement and commensurate punishment for violations of the rules of the road.
Charlotte Robbins
