In the transportation food chain pedestrians amount to little more than street meat.
And, when tin meets skin on city streets the outcome is predictably tragic.
Take Saturday as an example, when police recorded six auto-pedestrain collisions of which one incident saw a 77-year-old man die.
Who stands up for the victims - especially when many crashes go unreported?
"We should have a pedestrian task force," says Bev Ballantyne, co-founder of Putting Pedestrians First.
Vancouver politicians almost approved such a committee in 2000 but councillors instead opted for a sidewalk task force, which was more focused with dog-leash regulations than safety, says Ballantyne.
"Now, we have all kinds of very expensive committees: Their lettuce growing committee ... and others that have nothing to do with a city's mandate of land-use planning," she says.
A pedestrian advocate in the city's engineering department would put walking front-and-centre for planners, according to Ballantyne.
Considering the current council's goal, of increasing pedestrian and cyclist trips to 25 per cent by 2020, and an advocate could be necessary, says Coun. Andrea Reimer.
"I don't know how else you get to sustainable transportation unless someone is advocating for it from within the city," she says.
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> Tips to live by
Drivers:
- Keep your speed relative to conditions - the slower you go the more time you give yourself to see the road ahead and intersections.
- Think about other vehicles on the road - some could be blocking view of pedestrians or have stopped to allow pedestrians to cross.
- Keep an eye out for pedestrians who are unsure of crossing or not paying attention.
- Concentrate on the road by cutting out distractions such as cell phones, food and drink.
Pedestrians
- Make eye contact with drivers so you know they see you.
- Use crosswalks at intersections instead of jaywalking.
- Wear bright visible clothing such as reflective bands available at cycling and running stores.
- Be aware of your surroundings by staying off cell phones and taking out ear-buds.
Where it hurts
The most oft-injured body part is the lower extremity - in line with where a bumper hits thighs, kneecaps or legs.
Head - 17 %
Face - 16 %
Spine - 5%
Neck - 2 %
Upper extremities
(arms) - 19%
Thorax - 3%
(throat to chest)
Abdomen - 4%
Lower extremities (Legs, knees, shins & feet) - 34%
*AN ANALYSIS OF AUTO-PEDESTRIAN COLLISIONS PREPARED BY APPLIED SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION U.S.
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Danger spots
Pedestrians beware of these intersections:
1) East Hastings and Main Streets
2) East 41st Avenue and Victoria Drive
3) Commercial Drive and East Broadway
4) Clark Drive and East Broadway
5) Commercial Drive and East 12th Avenue
- 2008
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Numbers game
Pedestrian crashes
VANCOUVER
Year Crashes Victims
2008 520 600
2007 630 710
2006 630 740
2005 600 680
2004 560 660
LOWER MAINLAND
2008 1,510 1,760
2007 1,670 1,990
2006 1,740 2,080
2005 1,640 1,900
2004 1,580 1,860
