Lose the iPod, pay attention, urge traffic experts
25.06.2008 14:00
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- Source: cbc.ca
 A female pedestrian died after being hit by a Jeep at a downtown Calgary crosswalk. (CBC)Calgary police, paramedics and safety experts are urging drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to slow down and pay more attention during the summer months after two people died in separate traffic accidents this past weekend. On Saturday, cyclist Bryon Dyke, 37, was killed when he was struck in a crosswalk by a tow truck at 11th Avenue and 1st Street S.W. A day before, Elsie Mazur, 74, was walking in a crosswalk at 6th Avenue and 3rd Street S.W. when a Jeep hit her. She died later in hospital. Of the 38 traffic fatalities in the city last year, 17 involved pedestrians, said Calgary police Sgt. Dominic Barbario. He said people need to be especially cautious at this time of year because summer is when traffic deaths traditionally spike. Barbario says keeping the streets safe is not just the responsibility of drivers; he says pedestrians and cyclists should leave their cellphones and iPods off and also pay attention to the road. 'When you see the look in someone's eyes when they realize that their husband, their wife, their child is not coming home, that's just a horrendous experience for everyone involved.'—Sgt. Dominic Barbario Paul Lapointe of Calgary Emergency Medical Services echoes that people need to put down their cellphones and avoid distractions such as eating while driving. Angela Cansel, who teaches pedestrian and bicycle safety, says keeping kids safe is often up to parents, who should bike and walk with their children as well as wear helmets while cycling to be good role models. Barbario said most traffic fatalities can be prevented. "I had the unfortunate task of being the officer that attends people's homes to let them know that a loved one is not coming home. And if you do that once, that changes you," he said. "When you see the look in someone's eyes when they realize that their husband, their wife, their child is not coming home, that's just a horrendous experience for everyone involved and that's why we get so passionate about this." RelatedInternal LinksYOUR VIEW: Should pedestrians put away their iPods?Injured cyclist wearing headphones, no helmetAudio Erin Collins reports for CBC Radio (Runs: 1:18) Play: Real Media »Consumer HeadlinesRichest Canadians have largest ecological footprint: studyCanada's top earners leave the largest ecological footprint, according to a study released Tuesday correlating income levels with consumption.No summer slowdown for home heating oil companyThe cost of home heating oil may have climbed 60 per cent in the past 12 months, but one Dartmouth company is reporting brisk business.Kitchen a haven for germs: StudyAn international study has found that kitchen sinks have more germs than bathroom sinks. Toronto taxi rides to become more expensiveToronto taxicab fares are going up in mid-July. MasterCard to pay about $1.8B US to American Express to settle lawsuitMasterCard says it will pay about $1.8 billion US to American Express to settle an antitrust lawsuit. Consumer Life FeaturesYour InterviewCarbon taxStephane Dion's plan explainedTELECOMCellphonesAttack of the iPhone killersINTERACTIVEPersonal financeAnatomy of a credit card billBLOGFood BytesFrom haute to cricket cuisineBLOGComm-OdditiesNaked Cowboy's $6M suit to proceed against candy makerPeople who read this also read …
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