Days are darkening earlier and fall road conditions are worsening, meaning there is potential peril for pedestrians.
In an effort to combat a recent spike in pedestrian injuries, the Delta Police Department, ICBC and community police station volunteers will be out at several key locations this week educating pedestrians and promoting pedestrian safety and visibility.
Volunteers were out on Scott Road between 70 and 72 Avenues Tuesday, providing pedestrians with reflectors and tips on how to stay safe.
Recommendations include:
• Make eye contact with drivers as it’s hard to see pedestrians when visibility is poor in fall and winter. Never assume that a driver has seen you.
• Focus your full attention on the road and traffic around you as drivers may not stop or obey traffic signals.
• Remove your headphones and leave your phone alone while crossing the road.
• Wear bright and reflective clothing or gear to make it easier for drivers to see you especially in wet weather, at dusk and at night.
• Before you start to cross, look left and right for oncoming vehicles and make sure vehicles in all lanes are fully stopped. Then look left and right again for vehicles while you’re crossing.
• Be careful at intersections. Watch for drivers turning left or right through the crosswalk. Drivers may be focused on oncoming traffic instead of also scanning for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Always cross at designated crosswalks, not mid-block. Follow pedestrian signs and traffic signals and don’t cross on a yellow or red light.
The greater presence of police, volunteers, and pedestrians on foot in the area should also serve as a reminder to drivers to always look twice in intersections, and to slow down in school zones, park zones and parking lots amongst other safe driving habits.