Crossing the road is a two-way street.
That's one of the messages a new ICBC campaign is driving home in the name of reducing the number of injuries and deaths caused by people being hit by cars and trucks.
According to the nearly 300 safety tip cards volunteers handed out Thursday morning at the Pine Centre Mall bus loop, both pedestrians and drivers can take steps to avoid a tragedy.
On one side of the cards are pointers for pedestrians and on the other, advice for drivers.
Pedestrians are encouraged to "look, listen and be seen."
More specifically, they should make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street and never assume the driver has seen the pedestrian; remove headphones and earbuds, stay off the smartphone and "focus all your attention on what's happening around you" and wear bright reflective clothing or gear to help drivers see them.
Drivers, conversely, should "check twice" for pedestrians at intersections and bus stops, "especially in dark, wet weather when visibility is limited."
When turning at an intersection, drivers should also "scan the crosswalk and yield to pedestrians crossing."
And finally, drivers should be ready to stop. "If a vehicle is stopped in front of you or the lane next to you, they may be yielding for a pedestrian."
Along with the cards, reflectors meant to help improve the visibility of walkers when they step onto the pavement, were given away.
With the days getting shorter and daylight savings to start this Sunday, visibility is not what it has been in previous months, ICBC road safety coordinator Doug MacDonald said, which is why the campaign was launched at this time of year.
On average, 70 pedestrians are injured every year in northern B.C. and province-wide one in five people killed in car crashes are pedestrians, according to ICBC.
More information can be found on Twitter with the hashtag #walksafeBC.
