On December 29, 2020, just after 5:00 PM, Richmond RCMP front-line officers responded to another collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at the intersection of Buswell St and Westminster Hwy that left a female with serious injuries.
It has been a busy week for Richmond RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team (CCIT) and the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS), as they both were called to the scene to investigate. The 70-year-old woman was crossing Westminster Hwy at an intersection when she was struck by a vehicle. Alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors. The driver remained on scene. The woman was transported to a local area hospital and is expected to survive her injuries.
“This accident was very preventable,” said Constable Kenneth Lau. “Drivers, please take extra care to anticipate any possible pedestrians, especially in the downtown core. Pedestrians, when at all possible, please use marked crosswalks, follow traffic signals, and take extra caution when you cross the road.”
Tips for pedestrians crossing:
- Try to be visible for the drivers. Do not hide behind poles, bus shelters, or anything that may obstruct a driver’s view of you as they approach the intersection.
- Wearing bright or reflective clothing at night or in low-light conditions is highly recommended.
- Use marked crosswalks in well-lit intersections whenever possible.
- Obey traffic control signals, and do not attempt to cross the road until you have the signal to do so. Drivers may not anticipate anyone crossing the road while they have right-of-way.
- When you have your signal to proceed, still, look both ways before crossing to make sure drivers approaching the intersection are slowing or stopped for you.
- Never assume a driver can see you: confirm this by making eye contact with the driver so they acknowledge your intent to cross.
- Even while crossing, continue to look both ways, in case there are new vehicles approaching the crossing who may not see you.
- Do not assume cars will stop just because you are crossing or you may have right of way.
- If you see another vehicle approaching while you are in the middle of crossing, pause and make sure you make eye contact with that driver as well so they know to slow down or stop for you. Do not continue crossing until this approaching vehicle has also slowed and stopped.
Richmond RCMP CCIT is seeking witnesses or dash camera footage of the incident. If you have any information, please contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 or Richmond_CCIT@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, and if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca, quoting file number 2020-35425.