Keeping kids safe on roads near B.C. schools has become a major issue in the province and today, at the annual meeting of B.C. municipalities they passed a motion in favour of bringing back photo radar in school zones.
According to ICBC, an average of 95 school age kids are injured every year near schools and playgrounds in this province.
However, despite the recent tragic death of 16-year-old Surrey student Amarpreet Sivia, who was one of three pedestrians struck by a motorcycle yesterday, it appears no lessons have been learned. Today, Global News witnessed police pulling over a driver speeding so fast – along the same stretch of road where the teen was killed – his vehicle had to be impounded.
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The number of pedestrians being hit appears to be increasing, according to a map compiled by ICBC. But it’s not just the drivers that are responsible, the pedestrian are equally to blame for serious or fatal incidents with 30 per cent contributed to distracted drivers. Another 30 per cent is caused by pedestrian error or confusion.
Photo radar still needs to be approved by the province; which could prove to be a difficult task since it’s not a popular option and the BC Liberals, under Gordon Campbell, pulled it out in 2001.
Whilst deaths in pedestrian car crashes are rare, statistics show that roughly 216 crashes occur across B.C. in school zones each year with an average of 95 injuries, the recent spate of accidents show they do happen.
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