Since Saturday there have been at least eight people hit by cars in the St. John’s area—and Wedgwood Insurance says “enough is enough.”
In response the company has created a short video and is giving away LED flashers and reflective armbands.
Vice President of Wedgwood Insurance, Kent Rowe says they’re just trying to do their part to make the community safer, and calls the recent reports both disturbing and alarming.
Since Saturday there have been six people hit by cars in St. John's. Enough is enough.
We're giving away LED flashers and reflective armbands (arriving Friday 🤞) for anyone who wants one at 85 Thorburn Road, M-F 8:30am-5pm. #nltraffic #BeSeenBeSafe
Please RT pic.twitter.com/psneo3IKzH
— Wedgwood Insurance (@WedgwoodIns) January 14, 2020
It started with a simple tweet about how pedestrians can share some responsibility for roadside safety—like wearing reflective clothing. However, Rowe understands not everyone can afford reflective clothing.
Rowe says they took that into consideration and saw it as a good opportunity to work with the community and create a theme of safety.
He believes it’s incumbent upon everybody to slow down, be aware and be vigilant.
Safety NL Offers Advice
There’s little doubt, it’s been tough getting around, for both vehicles and pedestrians after the first snow dump of 2020.
Eight people were struck by vehicles in the capital city in a span of a few days, and one accident earlier this month resulted in the death of a 63-year old man who succumbed to his injuries last week.
Lloyd Hobbs of Safety NL says with high snow banks, snow and ice covered sidewalks, narrow roads and slippery and slushy conditions, it’s important to be cautious.
He says drivers can have trouble seeing pedestrians because of high snowbanks, or because a pedestrian has slipped and fallen into the path of a vehicle.
Hobbs advises pedestrians to avoid peak traffic times if at all possible and wear clothes to make them visible, especially in the dark.
He says pedestrians have to be prepared that the sidewalks are not going to be like they are in the summer months.
