In Nanaimo, 4 pedestrians over the age of 60 were killed and 6 others injured during the winter of 2004/2005.
The pedestrians killed and injured were all wearing dark clothing with no reflective bands.
It was a dark and stormy night
It is the standard cliché line for the start of a story involving horror, injury and death. As we read the book we know (or think we do) what is going to happen to the hapless victim depicted in the pages and can’t understand why they put themselves in harms way with barely
a thought for the consequences of whatever foolish things they may be doing. I would do it differently and NEVER do anything so obviously dangerous. I would see the danger coming and not EVER leave myself vulnerable. I would escape unharmed and win the day.Finished the book but look at the time! I still have to take the dog for a walk, put a letter in the post box on the corner, and maybe walk up to the store and get the paper. Open the door to go and it’s only six in the afternoon but it is dark. The wind is blowing and it
is raining and feeling cold enough to snow. Ever since turning seventy the cold seems to feel worse than it is so I will wear my heavy black raincoat. With the rain on my glasses I can’t see anything anyway so I won’t wear them. Pull down my hat, put on a scarf and pull up my collar. Up the street and the dogs leash is in one hand the other has the letter held close to keep it dry. The sidewalk isn’t wet, it’s covered with slush! It is slippery and my feet are getting wet so I will just walk on the side of the road because the traffic and the salt
is melting the slush there and it isn’t so slippery. The post box is on the other side of the street but I always cross here in the middle of the block. Glancing down the street I see a line of streetlights? Can’t see well because my eyes are all squinted against the rain and I am not going to turn my face into the rain, snow
and wind. Start across the street and all I can hear is the sound of the wind in the trees. Suddenly there is a bright light beside me and I feel a slam against my legs and then my body and my head. I feel like I have fallen off the roof and am flying through the air. My head slams the ground and wet slush is all over
my face. I suddenly feel very cold and weak and just before I lose consciousness, I look up and realize it is a Dark and Stormy Night.The driver of the oncoming car was driving at the speed limit and was being careful because of the conditions. There in front of her is a dark shape and it is too close. She can’t stop. She will carry the events of that night for the rest of her life. She will have
nightmares for a long time.
The Tragic Facts
In the Nanaimo area, during the winter months of 2004/2005 there were four fatalities involving pedestrians over the age of sixty years. There were six more serious injury motor vehicle incidents involving senior pedestrians and two others who were middle aged but were mentally challenged. Only one
driver was charged in all of these incidents, and that was a drinking driving offence that may or may not have affected the outcome.
All of these people were on the travelled portion of the roadway and all but one were wearing dark or black clothing. All of the drivers were travelling at reasonable speeds for the road and weather conditions at the time and their actions had very little to do with the cause of the Motor Vehicle Incidents.
Protect yourself!
Now, let’s go back to our scenario and change only one thing. Just before going out the door our senior reaches into his pocket and pulls out two yellow elastic strips about five centimeters wide. Down the middle of each strip is a band of reflective material two
centimeters wide. He quickly wraps one around each of his wrists over his coat and fastens them with the Velcro on the ends. Then he attaches a reflective leash to the dogs collar. Now he does everything else exactly the same and makes all of the same poor choices and, well let’s face it, some bad mistakes. But when the driver enters the street, even with the lights on low beam he can see the moving reflective patches on the wrists and leash of our
pedestrian from up to two hundred and fifty meters away.There is no collision, there is no injury, and the dog and his master will settle in front of the fireplace at home a short time later and perhaps never know they were in danger. Please, please, please obtain, beg, buy or borrow and wear BRIGHT and most importantly REFLECTIVE clothing and devices when you go out for a walk. The dark comes very early in the winter and some days with rain and clouds it seems dark all day. You are responsible for your
own safety. Give them as early Christmas gifts for all those you care about. I can’t think of a gift that would more demonstrate your love and concern for another. Then make sure they and you WEAR THEM. It will keep you safe. It can save your lives. Make sure that everyone can SEE YOU IN NANAIMO!By Sgt. Gene PINNEGARRCMP Traffic Services303 Prideaux Street,Nanaimo BC.250-754-2345
The winter of 2005/2006
saw no pedestrian fatalities in the Nanaimo area.RCMP members handed
out several hundred reflective bands to senior
pedestrians.
Reflective straps, courtesy of ICBC are available for a
limited time at Ricky's Restaurant, 6550 Island
Hwy, Nanaimo.
How You Can Help
Police are asking for assistance from businesses or others who might be able to donate reflective bands which can then be given out to those in need.Those interested in helping can call the Nanaimo RCMP Traffic Office at 754-2345.
into his pocket and pulls out two yellow elastic strips about five centimeters wide. Down the middle of each strip is a band of reflective material two
centimeters wide. He quickly wraps one around each of his wrists over his coat and fastens them with the Velcro on the ends. Then he attaches a reflective leash to the dogs collar. 
