The RCMP, ICBC and Nanaimo Regional Transit System are reflecting upon safety.
Representatives from the organizations, with help from RCMP volunteers, were at the Nanaimo Regional Transit System transfer station on Prideaux Street on Thursday handing out small reflectors to bus riders.
The reflective tags are designed to be worn on zippers, backpacks or other attachment points in clothing and shine when lit by vehicle headlights.
“This is an ongoing program that we’re doing regarding pedestrian safety,” said Caroline Robinson, ICBC road safety coordinator. “We’re really just encouraging everyone to make sure you’re as visible as possible, whether you’re a transit user or you’re a pedestrian.”
Robinson said one out of five people killed on B.C. roads annually are pedestrians. Every January nearly 260 pedestrians are hurt and six are killed in B.C. On Vancouver Island 10 people are struck and killed by vehicles annually and 330 are injured.
“The top contributing factors in pedestrian incidences with vehicles are distractions for the driver, failing to yield, and weather,” Robinson said.
Sixty-four per cent of all collisions with pedestrians happen at intersections.
Hundreds of the reflectors will be handed out by regional transit staff and RCMP volunteers on buses and at bus stops until the end of February.
