Pedestrian safety: The flasher works it’s magic

I have a simple idea that could increase pedestrian safety by reducing accidents in crosswalks.  The idea helps drivers better communicate to pedestrians, as well as other drivers, by giving a visual clue that something is happening ahead.

Every year thousands of pedestrians in crosswalks get hit by cars.  In fact, according to the Insurance Council of British Columbia (ICBC) in British Columbia (BC) over the last five years, on average per year, 2300 pedestrians were injured by cars resulting in 62 fatalities.

According to Safe Kids Canada in their Pedestrian Safety Facts children from 10 to 14 years old are at the highest risk to be injured as a pedestrian and children between the ages of 5 to 14 years old are are at the highest risk for pedestrian-related fatalities.

Better communication between drivers and pedestrians

In many cases when a pedestrian is involved in an accident the driver didn’t see the pedestrian or the pedestrian didn’t see the car.  Many times accidents happen at crosswalks.  Sometimes the pedestrian may think the car will stop and then realizes at the last minute they made a bad judgement call.  On streets with two lanes of traffic a pedestrian may see one car slow down and head across the street not realizing the other lane of traffic doesn’t see them crossing resulting in a terrible accident or near miss.  I’ve seen this happen a few times, it’s scary and you feel useless watching an accident about to unfold.

I recently became obsessed with pedestrian safety and crosswalks for two very personal reasons:

  1. I stared walking to work and became very aware that the isn’t a universally acceptable way to cross a busy street with no traffic light (even in a crosswalk.)
  2. My 10 year old daughter wants to walk to school by herself and I’m scared to death to let her because I’ve seen too many near misses and accidents.

The big idea – can we use our flashers to save lives?

I starting thinking about pedestrian safety observing people at crosswalks as well as drivers and I came up with an idea. When a driver notices a pedestrian in the crosswalk they can slow down and put their flasher on as they bring their car to a stop.

This does three things right away:

  • It tells the pedestrian that the driver sees them
  • It alerts drivers behind the car flashing their lights that something is happening and they should pay attention
  • It tells drivers in the opposite direction that something is happening and that they should pay attention

The awareness factor becomes high and the pedestrian can better gauge their safe passage across the street.  I’ve tried to come up with a clever name (Flasher, PediFlash, Safe Passage) but in it’s most simplest form I call it the “Flashing Crosswalk.”

If this grassroots idea spreads around more and more people would understanding the meaning of a flashing crosswalk and maybe the the message of slow down and pay attention could save lives. Pedestrians can feel confident that they are seen and they are more likely to safely cross the street.

 

I’ve been trying out my “Flashing Crosswalk” since the summer and just a few weeks ago I saw another driver do the same thing! Pedestrians always smile and wave thanks and as I look around I see other drivers paying attention to the activity in the road.

I’m still not ready to let my daughter go home alone yet but when she’s ready the flashing crosswalk could make crossing the street much safer.

Let me know what you think about the idea of the flashing crosswalk or share an idea you may have in the comments section.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

Be a safe pedestrian tips from ICBC

Walking Safely and Responsibly – from the City of Vancouver

Safe Kids Canada links:

Safe Kids US links:

 

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