Edmonton driving examiner takes it personally, every time a pedestrian is struck
CBC News | Posted: March 11, 2016 3:18 PM | Last Updated: March 11, 2016
Harry Brar lost a relative who was the victim of a hit and run
For Harry Brar, it's more than a job — it's personal, in the deepest sense of the word.
Every time a pedestrian is hit in the street, the certified driving examiner is reminded of a grim episode in his own life.
He had a relative who was struck by a hit-and-run driver in a lighted crosswalk. The man later died in hospital, leaving a wife and two kids.
The hit-and-run driver was eventually caught, but that didn't change the fact that Brar lost a relative.
Nine pedestrians have been struck by vehicles in Edmonton since Dec. 1. Four of the pedestrians died.
This week, a 55-year-old man was sent to hospital in serious condition after he was hit by a pickup in a crosswalk.
Brar told CBC News that pedestrian collisions can be avoided if people use common sense.
"[In] making turns, there are a lot of problems," said Brar, who works for Alberta Transportation. "That's the main cause of accidents as well."
Everyone should remember that pedestrians have the right of way, no matter what the circumstance, he said.
A typical example of a collision might be: A driver turning right at an intersection looks left, waiting for an opening in traffic. The driver ignores what's coming from the right and doesn't notice a pedestrian crossing the street. As the driver turns right, the pedestrian is struck.
Brar said drivers need to pay greater attention when turning or approaching an intersection.
"When [drivers] are approaching an intersection, they should start looking at least a half a block early," he said.
"What's coming? Are there any pedestrians approaching? Any cyclists? Any wheelchair? Any other guy walking?
"So they have to start observing when they are approaching an intersection ... now they have to watch both sides."
But safety is a two-way street, he said, and both the driver and pedestrian must be responsible for their movements.
Gerry Shimko, executive director for the city's office of traffic safety, echoes Brar's sentiments.
"[You're] really looking at a shared responsibility between pedestrians and drivers, making sure that there is good [eye] contact between the pedestrians and drivers, so that they know the right of way is there," Shimko said.
"As a pedestrian, you may have the right of way, but you have to make sure that you have contact with the driver."
With the warmer weather this winter, more and more people were out walking the streets, Shimko said.
"More pedestrians are active, and we're seeing more collisions as a result of that."
Shimko encourages people walking at night to wear a strobe light and reflective clothing so they can be seen clearly.
Shimko said the city is doing its part by adding more flashing beacons at designated crosswalks, especially around schools.
"Thirteen more schools will be equipped with pedestrian-activated rapid-flashing beacons, and that will expand to about 108 within five years," he said.
Four pedestrians killed in past few months
The pedestrians ranged in age from 49 to 81:
- Dec. 3, 2015 - A 74-year-old woman died after she was hit by a van in a marked crosswalk at Londonderry Mall;
- Dec. 4, 2015 - A 54-year-old man died after he was hit by a car while stepping off a curb in a marked crosswalk on 118th Avenue;
- Jan. 22 - A 49-year-old woman died after being struck by a cement truck while crossing 107th Street in a marked downtown crosswalk;
- Feb. 25 - An 81-year-old woman died after she was struck by a pickup while crossing at Groat Road and 111th Avenue.