Seniors advocate asking cities to improve safety for elderly pedestrians

BC’s Seniors Advocate is asking cities to consider making some changes to urban areas to better support elderly residents.

“From the perspective of seniors, we have to remember that walking, pedestrian transportation, is very high among seniors,” says Isobel Mackenzie, the province’s Seniors Advocate. “Sometimes it’s their only form of independent transportation. They aren’t able to drive but they are able to walk.”

According to a report from the provincial health officer, pedestrians over the age of 76 have the highest number of fatalities on BC roads. Most of those fatalities occur at intersections.

Mackenzie says steps need to be taken to protect elderly pedestrians.

“They are slightly sometimes slower in their mobility. Sometimes their sight and their hearing is not as acute as younger people and we need to give some special considerations there. The evidence that my colleague Dr. Kendall presented was very compelling so I’ve asked all local governments to take a look at this.”

Mackenzie has written to all Mayors and City Councils in the province, lobbying them to take steps to make their communities safer for seniors.

One consideration is lowering speed limits in areas with lots of pedestrians to 30km per hour. At this speed, pedestrians involved in collisions face a 10% risk of death. At 50 km per hour, that risk goes up to 80%.

Mackenzie says there are several ways cities could make local roads safer for seniors, including finding ways to decrease crossing distance.

“Walk time cycles at crossings is another thing. It takes longer for some seniors to cross and also, some seniors, their confidence to move quickly erodes as their mobility is restricted.”

31% of pedestrian collisions in BC are a result of pedestrian confusion or error, 29% are due to distraction on the part of the driver or pedestrian and 19% involve alcohol.

Speed and driver’s failing to yield right of way are also factors.