As the winter season approaches, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is warning both pedestrians and drivers about how the number of auto collisions involving pedestrians spikes around this time of the year.

Citing its data based on a five-year average from 2016 to 2020, ICBC noted that an average of 52 pedestrians are killed and 2,400 injured in 2,700 crashes every year. More than half – about 55% – of those fatalities occur between October and January. ICBC also said that an average of 1,080 pedestrians are injured in crashes between October and January, compared to only 570 pedestrians who are injured between May and August.

ICBC also said that distracted driving and failing to yield the right-of-way are the top contributing factors for drivers in crashes with pedestrians. Over three-quarters of crashes involving pedestrians occurred at intersections, the insurer prefaced.

To address this dangerous issue, ICBC announced that it is teaming up with BC police to launch a pedestrian safety campaign, to encourage both drivers and pedestrians to stay safe.

“This time of year, as daylight hours shorten and bad weather increases, police see a growing number of crashes involving pedestrians. These are particularly tragic as pedestrians are vulnerable road users, and often include children, the elderly or the distracted. We each have a part to play to in making our streets safer,” said BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee chair, chief constable Neil Dubord.

“We're urging both pedestrians and drivers to do their part to keep our roads safe as daylight hours decrease and weather conditions change,” added ICBC vice president of public affairs and driver licensing Lindsay Matthews. “Crashes involving pedestrians are highest between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. every day when many of us are commuting home. It's important for drivers to leave their phone alone and for pedestrians to stay focused on what's going on around them."