Officials of the Kelowna RCMP, its municipal traffic section and ICBC have partnered to promote pedestrian safety in Kelowna.

Officers and volunteers with the Kelowna RCMP, along with officials and volunteers with ICBC hit the streets at Harvey Avenue and Cooper Road to interact with pedestrians, cyclists and drivers on Wednesday to promote overall road safety and raise awareness around the important topic of pedestrian safety. Officials and volunteers distributed ICBC reflectors to both pedestrians and cyclists. Officials also handed out information pamphlets to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

91裸聊视频淐rashes with pedestrians spike dramatically in fall and winter as the weather changes and daylight hours decrease,91裸聊视频� said Christine Kirby, local ICBC road safety coordinator. 91裸聊视频淲hen you91裸聊视频檙e walking, make eye contact, wear bright and reflective clothing, and stay focussed on the road. When you91裸聊视频檙e driving, take extra time to look for pedestrians before turning, avoid distractions and be ready to yield.91裸聊视频�

With longer days and better weather bringing more people outside, the number of incidents between pedestrians and vehicles is on the rise, said police.

91裸聊视频淧olice have noticed that increase of pedestrian involved collisions these past several months, not just in Kelowna but all across the Province, at times resulting in the loss of too many valuable lives.91裸聊视频� says Cst. Jesse O91裸聊视频橠onaghey, Communication Officer of the Kelowna RCMP. 91裸聊视频淲e want to do our part in educating the public in our community at every possible opportunity in hopes of preventing another unnecessary loss of life,91裸聊视频� adds O91裸聊视频橠onaghey.

The following statistics are established according to ICBC and police data based on the five year average from 2009 to 2013:

91裸聊视频�In B.C., 75 per cent of crashes involving pedestrians occur at intersections;

91裸聊视频�In the Southern Interior, 51 per cent of crashes involving pedestrians occur at intersections.

91裸聊视频�In B.C., on average, 58 pedestrians are killed and 2,400 injured in crashes every year.

91裸聊视频�In the Southern Interior, on average, 12 pedestrians are killed and 240 pedestrians are injured in crashes every year;

91裸聊视频�In B.C., nearly one in five (18 per cent) people killed in car crashes are pedestrians.

91裸聊视频�The top contributing factors for drivers in crashes with pedestrians are: distraction, failure to yield to right of way and weather (for example: fog, sleet, rain, snow);

The following are tips for:

Pedestrians:

91裸聊视频�Make eye contact with drivers as it91裸聊视频檚 hard to see pedestrians when visibility is poor in fall and winter. Never assume that a driver has seen you;

91裸聊视频�Focus your full attention on the road and traffic around you as drivers may not stop or obey traffic signals;

91裸聊视频�Remove your headphones and leave your phone alone while crossing the road;

91裸聊视频�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;

91裸聊视频�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 you91裸聊视频檙e crossing;

91裸聊视频�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;

91裸聊视频�Always cross at designated crosswalks, not mid-block. Follow pedestrian signs and traffic signals and don91裸聊视频檛 cross on a yellow or red light;

91裸聊视频�On roads with no sidewalks, walk facing traffic so that you can see oncoming vehicles. Make yourself visible to drivers by wearing bright and reflective clothing, and consider using a flashlight

Drivers:

91裸聊视频�Focus on the road. Always leave your phone or any other hand-held electronic device alone while you91裸聊视频檙e driving

91裸聊视频�Be ready to yield to pedestrians 91裸聊视频� especially when turning in intersections and near transit stops

91裸聊视频�Look twice for pedestrians before turning especially in fall and winter when visibility is poor;

91裸聊视频�Give yourself extra time and space to stop in case a pedestrian suddenly crosses the street

Transit users:

91裸聊视频�Make sure that you91裸聊视频檙e visible when you91裸聊视频檙e walking to and from your transit stop. Wear bright and reflective clothing or gear so drivers can see you in all weather conditions

91裸聊视频�Be cautious at transit stops. Avoid running for the bus and taking shortcuts. Always cross at designated crosswalks, not mid-block.