Share the road

It’s a news item to which city residents would rather put the brakes.
   Two pedestrians are dead after being struck in Lethbridge crosswalks Thursday afternoon in separate incidents that occurred just over an hour apart.
In the first incident about 4:14 p.m. at St. Edward Blvd. and S. David Rd. N., a 57-year-old woman died after being hit by a Jeep, say police.
Then, at about 5:15 p.m., a 64-year-old woman was hit by a truck at 13 St. N., at the intersection of 6 Ave. N. She died later in hospital.
Alcohol and speed are not factors in either incident, say police. Charges are pending against the truck driver in the second incident, while it wasn’t decided at press time if the Jeep driver in the first incident will face charges.
The incidents serve as a grim reminder that those who share the road — motorists and pedestrians included — share the responsibility of ensuring no user is injured or killed.
It’s easy to point a finger. Motorists can grind their gears about pedestrians darting into traffic without (seemingly) paying attention. Meanwhile, pedestrians can spout off about motorists who are too much in a hurry to stop for those who get around on foot.
The problem with pointing a finger, though, is it doesn’t help curb the cases of collisions involving pedestrians and vehicles.
According to the basic licence driver’s handbook, vehicles that are facing a steady green light and are turning right or left must yield the right of way to other vehicles or pedestrians lawfully within the intersection when the green light is displayed. Pedestrians, meanwhile, that are facing a steady green light may proceed across the road within any marked or unmarked crosswalk unless directed by another pedestrian signal device.
This time of year presents an additional danger because the roads are busy when the sun rises and sets, which can blind a lot of drivers. Although the second collision occurred after the sun was below the horizon, police are not saying whether the pedestrian’s clothing made it more difficult for motorists to see her. But, they did say that drivers and pedestrians have a responsibility to be aware of each other. After all, a deadly blow from a vehicle isn’t any less fatal if a pedestrian or motorist is in the right.
The crashes resulted in Lethbridge recording its first two deaths of 2012. That’s two deaths too many.
It’s not a new problem to city streets. Last year, three pedestrians were killed in the city in collisions while using crosswalks. A motorcyclist and a skateboarder also died after being hit by vehicles in 2011. No one intersection is to blame.
City police designated January to focus on intersection safety. It’s a great idea to crack down but motorists and pedestrians should self-police all 12 months of the year. As a result, motorists and pedestrians will reduce the chance of death or injury simply by obeying simple rules and sharing the asphalt. Sharing is a simple concept but it’s one that paves the way toward happier — and safer — road users.