THUNDER BAY -- With Halloween just two days away, local children and parents are reminded to Be Safe and Be Seen.
The second annual campaign promotes pedestrian safety by giving out reflective arm bands at various locations throughout the city.
Active transportation coordinator for the City of Thunder Bay Adam Krupper said they started the campaign last year with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit because of safety concerns around young pedestrians, especially around the spooky Oct. 31 holiday.
“Kids are really excited; they’re running around on the streets and we want to make sure the parents can give their kids something to improve the safety,” Krupper said.
Last year Krupper said they ordered 700 arm bands and they were gone in three days.
“People just snapped them up … We were amazed at the demand and the interest last year,” he said.
So this year they ordered more of the reflective bands and public health nurse Marita Campbell said the campaign extends beyond Halloween.
“We’re trying to get pedestrians, when they’re out in the street in the dim light hours, to be wearing some bright reflective clothing or even bright colours and to do the things they need to do so motorists see them and they know they’re being seen,” she said.
Making eye contact with drivers and crossing at intersections or marked crosswalks are some of the best ways to staff safe when out walking in urban areas, she added.
The Office of the Chief Coroner’s Pedestrian Death Review of 2012 states that 75 per cent of pedestrian fatalities occur on urban roads and 60 per cent happen at night or during dim light hours.
“In one third of those incidents, it was the pedestrian’s actions that led to the fatality so there are things that pedestrians can do to change these stats and to make it a more positive experience when you’re out there walking or cycling,” said Campbell.
The reflective arm bands are free to the public and available at City of Thunder Bay Parking Authority, CyclePath, Petrie’s Cycle and Sports, Fresh Air Experience, EcoSuperior Environmental Programs, George’s Market, Westfort Foods and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
