Richmond RCMP called out for road safety video
Posted October 17, 2023 7:14 am.
Last Updated October 17, 2023 9:38 pm.
A video about road safety posted online by Mounties in Richmond has sparked quite a controversy with a lot of people feeling the messaging is way off.
The video is 41 seconds long and shows a woman getting ready to go out for a walk. It’s daytime. She’s wearing a black hoodie over her head and headphones in both ears. She hits the crosswalk button, it flashes, and she starts walking in the crosswalk.
The camera shows the driver who looks down after his phone goes off and, with it in hand, he nearly hits her.
She stops in her tracks and looks stunned. He looks shaken and puts his phone down, while she slowly looks at one of her AirPods as she takes it out.
The issue a lot of people have with the video is that he’s breaking the law and she’s not.
Distracted driving has been illegal in B.C. since Jan. 1, 2010, and the provincial government has increased fines for the offence over the years.
As of 2023, a fine will set you back $368 and four penalty points. If you have four or more points at the end of a 12-month period, ICBC says you have to pay a driver penalty point premium, which ranges from $252 for four points to $34,560 for 50 or more points.
Many people have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice their anger about the video. Some feel the Mounties are victim-blaming the pedestrian. Others say it’s the worst road safety ad they’ve ever seen.
Others are pushing Richmond RCMP to delete the post, which has garnered millions of views on the social media platform.
Next from the safety experts: “Why deaf residents should not be allowed outside”
— Andy Boenau (@Boenau) October 16, 2023
What an appalling message to send: That even if you have walked to a pedestrian crossing, activated the lights and crossed the road legally, we’re still going to hold you partly responsible if you’re wiped out by a distracted driver. https://t.co/hpD0o6PsLf
— Stephen B (@BicycleAdagio) October 17, 2023
this is one of the most insane things I’ve ever seen a public agency post but like even putting asside the victim blaming, what exactly could this pedestrian do that would catch the attention of a driver looking at their phone and not out the window in broad daylight? https://t.co/kFJj2pJIMs
— Blair (@blurr_65) October 16, 2023
Richmond-born Olympic racewalking medallist Evan Dunfee says, “As a professional pedestrian in Richmond it’s fun to know that if I am murdered by a distracted driver while in a crosswalk the Richmond RCMP will blame me.”
Some say the video reinforces “car culture,” where the driver is always right.
The Mounties say last year they investigated 65 collisions involving pedestrians and more than half of those crashes happened during the winter months. They say that so far this year they’ve been called to 47 crashes involving pedestrians.
“The fall is typically the worst time of the year for pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Richmond,” said Sgt Eric Baskette, Road Safety Units. “We are wanting to remind the public to take extra care and precautions as the short, rainy days return.”
