Wilsonville Spokesman Online

Multiple recent vehicle-pedestrian accidents prompt TVFR to issue safety tips

Fatal accident in Wilsonville one of several incidents throughout the area

• Published: 11/6/2009 12:52:34 PM

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue is reminding drivers and pedestrians to be careful when sharing the road, after a series of recent incidents where vehicles struck pedestrians, including a fatal accident in Wilsonville.
 
“This is a reminder that drivers, pedestrians and cyclists need to share the road,” TVFR communications officer Brian Barker said. “When it’s dark and rainy, it’s harder for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists, so everyone needs to be more careful.”
 
Travelers – whether on foot, in car or on bicycle – should take extra precautions as the days get shorter and darker, TVFR said.
 
Pedestrians should wear bright, light-colored or reflective clothing to be as visible as possible. In many cases, drivers state they didn’t see the people they hit, according to TVFR. Pedestrians should walk on the sidewalk; if they must walk in the road, they should face traffic. Cross streets only at marked crosswalks or intersections with traffic signals, and look left-right-left before crossing. At crosswalks, pedestrians should make eye contact with motorists and make sure they are stopping before crossing. Telephone poles, utility boxes and parked vehicles may block motorists’ ability to see pedestrians, and should be taken into account.
 
Drivers should always stop for pedestrians, who have the right of way at all intersections, in intersections and crosswalks. On a two-lane road, they must stop until the pedestrian has completely cleared the roadway. On a multi-lane road, they must stop for pedestrians within one land of their direction of travel. Drivers should turn on headlights to make themselves more visible to pedestrians and should never pass other vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They should keep an eye out for pedestrians in the road or crosswalk ahead, and should limit distractions such as using cell phones, eating and listening to music. They should also drive at the speed limit, and consider going slower during inclement weather.
 
Cyclists should also take care when sharing the road. Some precautions are similar to those of pedestrians: wear light colors or reflective clothing, and do everything possible to remain visible to drivers. They should also use a tail-light and headlight and should obey the rules of road. Perhaps most importantly, cyclists should always wear helmets.
 
A Beaverton pedestrian was killed Oct. 30 while attempting to cross Interstate 5 in Wilsonville; TVFR was one of the responding agencies. Also on Interstate 5, a Portland man was arrested Monday after walking into traffic near Woodburn.

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