[Image-1]
As the seasons change from wintery hell to blistering heat, so too do causes of pedestrian injuries morph from unsafe sidewalks to traffic collisions. It must be summer.
Yesterday, a 40-year-old woman was hit in a crosswalk at the intersection of Hollis and Morris. The police say she received minor injuries to her hand and knee, and was treated by EHS at the scene. The 45-year-old male driver who hit her with his car was issued a ticket for failing to yield.
If you’ll recall the events of last summer, then you’ll remember Halifax drivers are really bad at not hitting human beings in crosswalks. It sadly looks like the trend might continue. Forty-nine percent of vehicle/pedestrian collisions since January 1 have occurred in crosswalks. That’s actually down since the same period last year (at 64 percent), but it’s still 65 pedestrians injured this year walking in the one part of the road they’re supposed to be safe. Two people have already died, and there’s a lot of pedestrian-friendly weather to come.
In an effort to reverse the tide, Halifax Police, Heads-Up Halifax, Halifax Transit and the Halifax Cycling Coalition will be hosting a Traffic Safety Celebration (along with corporate partner TELUS, because everything needs a corporate partner now) at Victoria Park this weekend.
Saturday, May 30, residents can attend a community barbeque from noon to 1:30pm (while supplies last) and “participate in fun kids activities with face painting and a balloon artist.”
Reflective face paint and large balloons are effective ways to get noticed by drivers (and everyone else).
There will also be a performance by local dancers from national youth group UNITY, who will lead a “‘Safety Dance’ beat box” performance and teach kids “breakdancing moves linked to safe crosswalk habits.”
It is, in short, a fun, vibrant event to once again beat it into the heads of pedestrians that they take great personal risks while walking and cycling. Volunteer “Smart Mobs” will even be scouring the downtown “to recognize and celebrate pedestrians demonstrating safe crosswalk techniques.”
Problem drivers aren’t likely to attend these events. Particularly because none of them would consider themselves a problem driver. Which is why all the crosswalk safety training in the world is hilariously useless against a single drunken commuter or distracted tweeter.
Still, balloon artist.
———
Halifax Traffic Safety Celebration at Victoria Park
Saturday, May 30, 12:00pm—1:30pm
Victoria Park, corner of Spring Garden Road and South Park Street
Related Stories
Here’s the guy who keeps hitting pedestrians
Why isn’t this city more pedestrian-friendly?
I am a pedestrian, and I am an idiot
Halifax should do more to make sidewalks walkable
How to stay alive and maybe even thrive as a non-car on Halifax’s unruly streets
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2015.
How many pedestrians know the rules of a signalized crosswalk? Not many judging by how many start crossing on flashing red lights or count downs. See the first fact below.
From: http://www.halifax.ca/headsuphalifax/Cross…
CROSSWALK SAFETY FACTS
Did you know?
True or false?
I can enter the crosswalk when the hand is flashing or countdown timer has started.
FALSE. It’s against the law to enter the crosswalk if the hand is flashing or countdown timer has started. But if you’ve already started to cross when the hand starts flashing or countdown timer begins, don’t worry, you can still finish your crossing. ———————————————————————————–
True or false?
I have to use the overhead flashing lights at a crosswalk where they’re available.
TRUE. It’s the law to press the button to use the overhead flashing lights at a crosswalk where they’re available.
————————————————————————————–
True or false?
Drivers can park their car two metres from a crosswalk.
FALSE. You can’t stop or park a vehicle within five metres of a crosswalk. ——————————————————————————————
True or false?
Crosswalks only exist if they’re marked.
FALSE. Every intersection has a crosswalk. Some are marked, others aren’t. Either way, drivers must stop for pedestrians waiting to cross or when they’re already in a crosswalk.
Unlike the headline implies, crosswalk safety is happily up to pedestrians! Pedestrians have the choice of when they’re going to step into the crosswalk and smart ones choose to make eye contact with drivers before doing so. That way, you can make sure you aren’t stepping in front of a distracted driver or end up in their blind spot.