Attorney General
VICTORIA - In light of a recent spike in pedestrian fatalities, the B.C. government is providing $30,000 to the Vancouver Police Department for a safety enforcement campaign targeting the city's most dangerous corridors, announced Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Colin Hansen on behalf of Solicitor General Shirley Bond.
Starting today, the Pedestrian Enforcement Initiative will use targeted strategies to raise public awareness about pedestrian safety, including high-risk behaviours associated with pedestrian crashes and related injuries and fatalities. Vancouver police traffic members are being deployed during peak traffic periods to enforce municipal by-laws and Motor Vehicle Act infractions for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and issuing warnings or fines where appropriate.
Government's Enhanced Traffic Enforcement Program provides funding for targeted traffic safety initiatives. There have been more fatalities so far in 2011 than in all of 2010. Nine pedestrians have been killed this year, compared to five last year.
The three-week pedestrian enforcement campaign will supplement other local pedestrian safety initiatives, including the VPD Traffic Unit's pedestrian safety program for seniors.
Quick Facts:
- So far in 2011, of 14 motor vehicle-related fatalities, nine were pedestrians.
- In 2010, of nine motor vehicle-related fatalities, five were pedestrians.
- In 2009, of 16 motor vehicle-related fatalities, 10 were pedestrians.
- In 2009 and 2010, police in B.C. issued over 35,000 violation tickets for pedestrian-related offences.
- From 2006 to 2010, 82 per cent of pedestrian-involved crashes in Vancouver occurred at intersections.
The highest pedestrian-related injury and fatality collision locations in Vancouver include three corridors:
- Hastings St. (Abbott to Nanaimo).
- Burrard St. (Dunsmuir to Davie).
- East Broadway (Ontario to Commercial).
Learn More:
For more information on road safety, visit: http://www.icbc.com/road-safety
See VPD community services at: http://vancouver.ca/police/index.html
Get DriveBC updates on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/drivebc
Contact:
Media Relations
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
250 356-6961
