As the hours of daylight decrease in the winter, the chances of vehicle-pedestrian accidents increase. Dark, rainy conditions may have played a role in the tragic death of an elderly British Columbia woman this month.
On behalf of of CBLAW posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Wednesday, December 30, 2015.
As the hours of daylight decrease in the winter, the chances of vehicle-pedestrian accidents increase. Dark, rainy conditions may have played a role in the tragic death of an elderly British Columbia woman this month.
The 85-year-old woman was hit by a vehicle in Tsawwassen B.C. in a marked crosswalk at almost 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 12. She did not survive her injuries. According to local police, she was struck by a vehicle making a turn as she crossed the street.
A press release from the local police department said that the fatal crash is still being investigated. It did not say that the driver was facing any charges yet. The release noted that “heavy rain, darkness and lack of visibility of the pedestrian are believed to be factors in the collision.”
Everyone on the road, whether a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist or driver, needs to be extra vigilant when weather impacts visibility and the ability to stop when necessary. The police department in this case reminds people to keep their headlights on, avoid distracted driving and slow down during inclement weather. Vigilance is particularly crucial when entering intersections. Checking multiple times for pedestrians before entering a crosswalk is recommended for drivers.
While we Canadians are used to rain and snow, it nonetheless impacts our ability to drive safely and for pedestrians to be seen. Even on sunny days, it’s important to make sure that any drivers in the area see you before you enter an intersection by making eye contact with them.
According to a spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, “Drivers must yield the right of way to traffic in the intersection or approaching the intersection so closely that to proceed would constitute an immediate hazard.” Pedestrians are considered to be “traffic.”
Even is a driver is not found criminally responsible for an accident, it may be possible to hold him or her liable in civil court. While this certainly won’t bring back a loved one, it can help cover expenses that the family is dealing with after a death and possibly encourage other drivers to be on the lookout for pedestrians and others with whom they share the road.
Source: CBC News, “85-year-old pedestrian dies after being hit in Tsawwassen crosswalk,” Dec. 13, 2015